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BIBLE  READINGS 
FOR  SCHOOLS, 


ffuyia^  acrzycdj^f.      \f}i^^. 


OF   THF 

University  of  California. 

(}AneAJJLam^      Innrit (U) 

Received  J  i  CfV~'  ,1900. 

Accession  No.o/y/O     •    Class  No. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/biblereadingsforOOscharich 


BIBLE    READINGS 


FOR  SCHOOLS 


EDITED  BY 


NATHAN  C.  SCHAEFFER,  Ph.D.,  D.D. 

SUPERINTENDENT  OF  PUBLIC    INSTRUCTION 
OF  PENNSYLVANIA 


3»i 


NEW  YORK  •:•  CINCINNATI  •:•  CHICAGO 
AMERICAN   BOOK   COMPANY 


Copyright,  1897,  by 
AMERICAN    BOOK   COMPANY 


BIBLE    READINGS 
W.    P.    3 


,0 


PREFACE. 


T^HE  Bible  is  the  Book  of  books.  As  a  means  of  imparting 
^  moral  and  religious  instruction,  nothing  equal  to  it  is  found  in 
all  the  other  books  which  the  ages  have  produced.  Without  a 
knowledge  of  its  leading  ideas,  the  pupil  cannot  even  understand 
and  appreciate  the  best  literature  of  the  English  tongue.  Bible 
readings  cannot  be  omitted  from  the  exercises  of  the  school 
without  the  gravest  loss  and  the  most  serious  consequences. 

It  is,  of  course,  not  the  mission  of  the  public  school  to  teach 
the  creed  or  the  doctrines  of  any  rehgious  denomination.  That 
is  the  province  of  the  home,  the  church,  and  the  Sabbath  School. 
In  making  this  collection  of  Bible  readings,  the  aim  has  been  to 
bring  together  selections  that  appeal  strongly  to  the  moral  nature 
of  the  child.  In  modern  education  it  has  become  proverbial  to 
say  that  the  perpetuity  and  prosperity  of  the  state  depend  upon 
the  intelligence  and  virtue  of  the  people.  Fidelity  to  duty  lies 
at  the  basis  of  good  government  and  is  essential  to  the  welfare  of 
society  and  the  happiness  of  the  individual.  The  still  small  voice 
(i  Kings  xix.  12)  must  be  obeyed,  if,  in  the  end,  it  is  not  to 
become  an  avenging  fury.  In  fitting  pupils  for  private  and  public 
life,  it  is  necessary  to  quicken  the  conscience,  to  develop  the  sense 
of  duty  and  obligation,  and  to  impart  clear  ideas  of  right  and 
wrong.  The  faithful  teacher,  therefore,  welcomes  everything  help- 
ful in  training  the  moral  nature  of  the  pupil. 

Moreover,  in  preparing  the  pupil  for  citizenship  the  school 
should  not  ignore  the  fact  that  the  civil  oath  or  affirmation  has 

3 


been  made  a  part  of  the  civil  code.  It  is  considered  indispensa- 
ble in  civil  causes,  and  is  always  administered  to  jurors  and  wit- 
nesses, and  to  public  servants  on  assuming  the  duties  of  office.  It 
involves  a  solemn  appeal  to  God  as  the  author  of  truth  and  right, 
as  well  as  a  promise  to  speak  the  truth  and  to  do  what  is  right. 
It  presupposes  belief  in  God  and  a  knowledge  of  man's  relation 
to  his  Maker. 

Ethical  truth  is  best  imparted  by  narratives  which  show  the 
essence  of  right  and  wrong  in  conduct  or  real  life.  Another  effi- 
cient means  of  imparting  ethical  truth  is  found  in  the  parables  of 
the  New  Testament.  Dr.  Arnold  calls  them  "  the  scattered  jewels 
of  God's  word,"  and  speaks  of  them  as  *'  the  highest  wisdom 
clothed  in  a  garb  of  surpassing  beauty." 

The  collection  of  narratives  and  parables  is  followed  by  a  collec- 
tion of  sayings  and  discourses,  of  whose  moral  beauty  the  soul 
never  tires. 

The  Law  is  summed  up  in  the  Ten  Commandments  of  the 
Mosaic  code,  and  the  two  great  commandments  of  the  new  dis- 
pensation. These  are  followed  by  readings  which  show  how  the 
Law  was  taught  among  God's  chosen  people. 

The  Psalms,  the  Proverbs,  and  the  Prophets  are  more  difficult 
to  grasp,  and  the  selections  from  these  have  been  reserved  for  the 
latter  part  of  the  volume. 

The  volume  concludes  with  selections  of  passages  designed  to 
enforce  specific  virtues.  The  plan  of  grouping  passages  for  the 
purpose  of  inculcating  particular  virtues,  cannot  be  pursued  very 
far  without  reducing  the  sacred  Scriptures  to  fragments,  and  de- 
stroying the  hterary  beauties  of  the  Bible. 

These  Bible  readings  may  be  used  like  the  lessons  of  a  supple- 
mentary reader ;  or  they  may  be  read  during  opening  exercises 
either  by  the  teacher  alone,  or  by  the  teacher  and  the  pupils 
responsively.  The  teacher  should  resist  the  temptation  to  make 
doctrinal  comments  upon  the  passages  thus  read. 


EDUCATIONAL   VALUE   OF   THE   BIBLE. 


CAMILIARITY  with  the  Bible  is  worth  more  to  the  student  of 
-*•  our  best  Hterature  than  famiUarity  with  any  dozen  other  books 
that  could  be  named.     The  pupil  needs  chiefly  : 

1.  A  minute  knowledge  of  the  historical  facts  recited  in  the 
Bible. 

2.  A  clear  conception  of  the  meaning  of  the  parables  and 
other  teachings  of  Jesus. 

3.  A  memory  of  much  of  the  sublime  language  of  the  poets 
and  prophets  of  the  two  Testaments. 

No  knowledge  of  the  Scripture,  even  the  profoundest,  is  super- 
fluous to  the  student  of  Milton.  The  poet  read  the  sacred  text 
in  the  original  languages,  and  often  shows  his  acquaintance  with 
readings  not  given  in  our  English  version.  .  He  was  no  mean 
theologian ;  there  are  probably  nowhere  in  his  great  poems  three 
successive  sentences  without  some  scriptural  allusion;  and  the 
light  that  he  casts  on  difficult  passages  is  frequently  amazing. 

Prof.  John  A.  Himes. 

The  struggle  for  existence  tends  to  ehminate  those  less  fitted 
to  adapt  themselves  to  the  circumstances  of  their  existence.  The 
strongest,  the  most  self-assertive,  tend  to  tread  down  the  weaker. 
But  the  influence  of  the  cosmic  process  on  the  evolution  of  soci- 
ety is  the  greater,  the  more  rudimentary  its  civiHzation.  Social 
progress  means  a  checking  of  the  cosmic  process  at  every  step, 

5 


and  the  substitution  for  it  of  another,  which  may  be  called  the 
ethical  process  ;  the  end  of  which  is  not  the  survival  of  those  who 
may  happen  to  be  the  fittest,  in  respect  of  the  whole  of  the  condi- 
tions which  exist,  but  of  those  who  are  ethically  the  best. 

Thomas  Huxley. 

Viewed  merely  as  a  human  or  literary  production,  the  Bible 
is  a  marvelous  book,  and  without  a  rival.  All  the  libraries  of 
theology,  philosophy,  history,  antiquities,  poetry,  law,  and  policy 
Would  not  furnish  material  enough  for  so  rich  a  treasure  of  the 
choicest  gems  of  human  genius,  wisdom,  and  experience.  It  em- 
braces works  of  about  forty  authors,  representing  the  extremes  of 
society,  from  the  throne  of  the  king  to  the  boat  of  the  fisher- 
man ;  it  was  written  during  a  long  period  of  sixteen  centuries, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Nile,  in  the  desert  of  Arabia,  in  the  Land  of 
Promise,  in  Asia  Minor,  in  classical  Greece,  and  in  imperial 
Rome ;  it  commences  with  the  creation  and  ends  with  the  final 
glorification,  after  describing  all  the  intervening  stages  in  the 
revelation  of  God  and  the  spiritual  development  of  man ;  it  uses 
all  forms  of  literary  composition ;  it  rises  to  the  highest  heights 
and  descends  to  the  lowest  depths  of  humanity ;  it  measures  all 
states  and  conditions  of  Hfe ;  it  is  acquainted  with  every  grief 
and  every  woe ;  it  touches  every  chord  of  sympathy ;  it  contains 
the  spiritual  biography  of  every  human  heart;  it  is  suited  to 
every  class  of  society,  and  can  be  read  with  the  same  interest 
and  profit  by  the  king  and  the  beggar,  by  the  philosopher  and 
the  child ;  it  is  as  universal  as  the  race,  and  reaches  beyond  the 
Hmits  of  time  into  the  boundless  regions  of  eternity.  ...  It 
speaks  to  us  as  immortal  beings  on  the  highest,  the  noblest,  and 
most  important  themes  which  can  challenge  our  attention,  and 
with  an  authority  that  is  absolutely  irresistible  and  overwhelming. 
It  can  instruct,  edify,  warn,  terrify,  appease,  cheer,  and  encourage 
as  no  other  book.     It  seizes  man  in  the  hidden  depths  of  his 


intellectual  and  moral  constitution,  and  goes  to  the  quick  of  the 
soul,  to  that  mysterious  point  where  it  is  connected  with  the 
unseen  world  and  with  the  great  Father  of  spirits.  It  acts  like 
an  all-penetrating  and  all-transforming  leaven  upon  every  faculty 
of  the  mind  and  every  emotion  of  the  heart.  It  enriches  the 
memory ;  it  elevates  the  reason ;  it  enlivens  the  imagination ;  it 
directs  the  judgment ;  it  moves  the  affections ;  it  controls  the 
passions ;  it  quickens  the  conscience ;  it  strengthens  the  will ;  it 
kindles  the  sacred  flame  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity;  it  puri- 
fies, ennobles,  sanctifies  the  whole  man,  and  brings  him  into 
living  union  with  God.  It  can  not  only  enlighten,  reform,  and 
improve,  but  regenerate  and  create  anew,  and  produce  effects 
which  lie  far  beyond  the  power  of  human  genius.  It  has  light 
for  the  blind,  strength  for  the  weak,  food  for  the  hungry,  drink 
for  the  thirsty ;  it  has  a  counsel  in  precept  or  example  for  every 
relation  in  life,  a  comfort  for  every  sorrow,  a  balm  for  every 
wound. 

Of  all  the  books  in  the  world,  the  Bible  is  the  only  one  of 
which  we  never  tire,  but  which  we  admire  and  love  more  in  pro- 
portion as  we  use  it.  Like  the  diamond  it  casts  its  luster  in 
every  direction ;  Hke  a  torch,  the  more  it  is  shaken,  the  more  it 
shines ;  like  a  healing  herb,  the  harder  it  is  pressed,  the  sweeter 

is  its  fragrance. 

Philip  Schaff. 

I  doubt  not  that  Providence  has  kept  for  us  the  best  of  this 
Hebrew  literature.  To  say  that  it  is  the  best  hterature  that  the 
world  has  produced  is  to  say  very  little.  It  is  separated  widely 
from  all  other  sacred  writings.  Its  constructive  ideas  are  as 
far  above  those  of  other  books  of  religion  as  the  heavens  are 
above  the  earth.  I  pity  the  man  who  has  had  the  Bible  in  his 
hand  from  his  infancy,  and  who  has  learned  in  his  maturer  years 
something  of  the  literature  of  other  religions,  but  who  now  needs 
to  have  this  statement  verified. 


8 

True  it  is  that  we  find  pure  maxims,  elevated  thoughts,  genuine 
faith,  lofty  morality,  in  many  of  the  Bibles  of  the  other  races.  But 
when  we  take  the  sacred  books  of  the  other  religions  in  their 
entirety,  and  compare  them  with  the  sacred  writings  of  the  He- 
brews, the  superiority  of  these  in  their  fundamental  ideas,  in  the 
conceptions  that  dominate  them,  in  the  grand  uplifting  visions 
and  purposes  that  vitalize  them,  can  be  felt  by  any  man  who  has 
any  discernment  of  spiritual  realities. 

It  is  in  these  great  ideas  that  the  value  of  these  writings  con- 
sists. .  .  .  They  are  the  record  as  no  other  book  in  the  world  is 
a  record,  of  that  increasing  purpose  of  God  which  runs  through 

the  ages. 

Washington  Gladden. 

The  very  excellence  of  the  Psalms  is  their  universality.     They 

spring  from  the  deep  fountains  of  the  human  heart ;  and  God,  in 

his  providence  and  by  his  spirit,  has  so  ordered  it   that   they 

should  be  for  his  church  an  everlasting  heritage.     Hence  they 

express  the  sorrows,  the  joys,  the  aspirations,  the  struggles,  the 

victories,  not  of  one   man,   but   of  all.     And   if  we   ask.   How 

comes  this  to  pass?  the  answer  is  not  far  to  seek;  one  object  is 

ever  before  the  eyes  and  the  heart  of  the  Psalmists.     All  enemies, 

all  distresses,  all  persecutions,  all  sins,  are  seen  in  the  light  of 

God.     It  is  to  him  that  the  cry  goes  up  ;  it  is  to  him  that  the 

heart  is  laid  bare;  it  is  to  him  that  the  thanksgiving  is  uttered. 

This  it  is  which  makes  them  so  true,  so  precious,  so  universal. 

No  surer  proof  of  their  inspiration  can  be  given  than  this,  that 

they  are  "not  of  any  age,  but  for  all  time." 

Canon  Perowne. 

The  day  was  in  Scotland  when  all  her  children  were  initiated 
into  the  art  of  reading  through  the  Book  of  Proverbs.  I  have  no 
doubt  whatever  —  neither  had  the  late  Principal  T.ee,  as  appears 
by  the  evidence  he  gave  before  a  committee  of  Parliament  —  that 


the  high  character  which  Scotsmen  earned  in  bygone  years  was 
mainly  due  to  their  early  acquaintance  with  the  Proverbs,  the 
practical  sagacity  and  wisdom  of  Solomon.  .  .  . 

The  book  has  unfortunately  disappeared  from  our  schools ; 
and  with  its  disappearance  my  countrymen  are  more  and  more 
losing  their  national  virtues  —  self-denial  and  self-reliance,  in  fore- 
sight and  economy,  in  reverence  of  parents  and  abhorrence  of 
pubhc  charity,  some  of  the  best  characteristics  of  old  manners 
and  old  times.  ^^   ^^.^^^^^ 

Never  in  the  history  of  nations,  so  far  as  appears,  has  a  sacred 
order  anywhere  arisen,  so  earnest,  so  self-sacrificing,  so  noble  in 
their  purity  of  hfe,  so  lofty  in  their  realization  of  the  true  and  the 
eternal,  so  bravely  faithful  in  their  battle  with  sin,  as  the  Hebrew 
prophets.  They  in  fact  believed  what  they  said  and  spoke  ac- 
cordingly.    No  fear  of  the  great  or  of  the  multitude  could  silence 

^'  Cunningham  Geike. 

The  parable  is  constructed  to  set  forth  a  truth  spiritual  and 
heavenly.  This  the  fable,  with  all  its  value,  is  not ;  it  is  essentially 
of  the  earth,  and  never  hfts  itself  above  the  earth.  It  never  has  a 
higher  aim  than  to  inculcate  maxims  of  prudential  morality,  indus- 
try, caution,  foresight ;  and  these  it  will  sometimes  recommend  at 
the  expense  of  the  higher,  self-forgetting  virtues.  The  fable  just 
reaches  that  pitch  of  morality  which  the  world  will  understand  and 
approve.  But  it  has  no  place  in  the  Scripture,^  and  in  the  nature 
of  things  could  have  none,  for  the  purpose  of  Scripture  excludes  it ; 

1  The  two  fables  that  are  found  in  the  Old  Testament,  —  that  of  the  trees 
which  would  choose  a  king  (Judg,  ix.  8-15),  and  the  brief  one  of  the  thistle 
and  the  cedar, —  may  seem  to  impeach  the  universality  of  this  rule,  but  do  not  so 
in  fact.  For  in  neither  case  is  it  God  that  is  speaking,  nor  yet  messengers  of 
his  delivering  his  counsel, —  but  men,  and  from  an  earthly  standing  point,  not  a 
divine.  Jotham  seeks  only  to  teach  the  men  of  Shechem  their  folly,  not  their 
sin,  in  making  Abimelech  king  over  them;   the  fable  never  lifting  itself  to  the 


10 


that  purpose  being  the  awakening  of  man  to  a  consciousness  of  a 
divine  original,  the  education  of  the  reason,  and  of  all  which  is 
spiritual  in  man,  and  not,  except  incidentally,  the  sharpening  of  the 
understanding. 

For  the  purposes  of  the  fable,  which  are  the  recommendation 
and  enforcement  of  the  prudential  virtues,  the  regulation  of  that 
in  man  which  is  instinct  in  beasts,  in  itself  a  laudable  discipline,  but 
by  itself  leaving  him  only  a  subtler  beast  of  the  field,  —  for  these 
purposes,  examples  and  illustrations  taken  from  the  world  beneath 
him  are  admirably  suited.^  That  world  is  therefore  the  haunt  and 
the  main  region,  though  by  no  means  the  exclusive  one,  of  the 
fable ;  even  when  men  are  introduced  it  is  on  the  side  by  which 
they  are  connected  with  that  lower  world ;  while  on  the  other 
hand,  in  the  parable,  the  world  of  animals,  though  not  wholly 
excluded,  finds  only  admission  in  so  far  as  it  is  related  to  man. 
The  relation  of  beasts  to  one  another,  not  being  spiritual,  can 
supply  no  analogies,  can  in  no  wise  be  helpful  for  declaring  the 
truths  of  the  Kingdom  of  God.  But  all  man's  relations  to  man 
are  spiritual ;  many  of  his  relations  to  the  world  beneath  him  are 
so  also.  His  lordship  over  animals,  for  instance,  rests  on  his 
higher  spiritual  nature,  is  a  dominion  given  to  him  from  above  ; 
therefore  as  in  the  instance  of  the  shepherd  and  the  sheep  (John  x.) 
and  elsewhere,  it  will  serve  to  image  forth  deeper  truths  of  the 
relation  of  God  to  man. 

It  belongs  to  this,  the  loftier  standing  point  of  the  parable,  that 
it   should  be  deeply  earnest,  allowing  itself  therefore  no  jesting 

rebuke  of  sin,  as  it  is  sin,  —  this  is  beyond  its  region,  —  but  only  in  so  far  as  it 
is  also  folly.  And  Jehoash,  in  the  same  way,  would  make  Amaziah  see  his  pre- 
sumption and  pride,  in  challenging  him  to  the  conflict,  not  thereby  teaching 
him  any  moral  lesson,  but  only  giving  evidence  in  the  fable  which  he  uttered, 
that  his  own  pride  vv^as  offended  by  the  challenge  of  the  Jewish  king. 

1  The  greatest  of  all  fables,  the  Reineke  Fuchs,  affords  ample  illustration  of 
all  this  ;  it  is  throughout  a  glorifying  of  cunning  as  the  guide  of  life,  and  the 
deliverer  from  all  evil. 


II 

nor  raillery  at  the  weaknesses,  the  follies,  or  the  crimes  of  men. 

Severe  and  indignant  it  may  be,  but  it  never  jests  at  the  calamities 

of  men,  however  well  deserved,  and  its  indignation  is  that  of  holy 

love ;  while    in   this   raillery,  and  in  these   bitter   mockings,  the 

fabulist  not  infrequently  indulges.      He  rubs  biting  salt  into  the 

wounds  of  men's  souls — it  may  be,  perhaps  it  generally  is,  with 

a  desire  to  heal  those  hurts,  yet  still  in  a  very  different  spirit  from 

that  in  which  the  affectionate  Savior  of  men  poured  oil  and  wine 

into  the  bleeding  wounds  of  humanity. 

Archbishop  Trench. 

Has  it  ever  occurred  to  you  to  ask  how  it  is  that  so  many  of  us 
have  a  much  clearer  knowledge  of  the  history  of  the  Jews  than  of 
our  own  annals?  Is  it  not  because  the  Bible  is  in  one  respect  the 
model  of  all  history?  Look  at  it  without  reference  to  its  higher 
claims,  simply  as  a  piece  of  narrative.  Consider  how  it  is  that  it 
conveys  to  its  readers  so  full  and  clear  a  knowledge  of  Jewish  his- 
tory during  many  centuries. 

There  is,  for  example,  a  period  of  about  one  thousand  years, 
from  Abraham  to  Rehoboam,  and  how  is  the  history  of  the  time 
told?  We  have  first  the  story  of  the  patriarch's  personal  career. 
We  are  led  to  understand  his  character  and  his  motives ;  we  see 
him  as  the  center  of  a  scene  in  which  pastoral  life  is  attractively 
portrayed,  and  which  affords  us  glimpses  of  the  patriarchal  gov- 
ernment, of  hfe  and  manners,  and  of  the  social  and  domestic  con- 
ditions of  the  time.  In  like  manner  we  see  Isaac  and  Jacob  with 
their  families  and  their  environments  ;  and  then  the  narrative,  dis- 
daining to  go  into  details  about  lesser  matters,  expands  into  a 
copious  biography  of  Joseph,  whose  personal  history  and  fortunes 
make  us  incidentally  acquainted  with  the  state  of  Egypt,  its  gov- 
ernment, its  political  economy,  and  many  facts  of  great  interest, 
which,  had  they  been  tabulated  in  a  book  of  outhnes,  we  should 
not  have  cared  to  learn. 


12 


The  history  then  passes  over  four  hundred  years  with  scarcely 
a  sentence,  and  again  becomes  full  and  graphic  about  the  Exodus 
and  the  journey  in  the  Wilderness,  investing  even  the  details  of 
legislation  with  a  special  interest  by  connecting  them  with  the 
person,  the  character,  and  the  private  life  of  the  lawgiver,  Moses. 
And  thus  the  story  is  continued,  sometimes  passing  over  a  long 
interval  of  inaction  or  obscurity  with  a-  few  words  of  general  de- 
scription, or  a  list  of  names ;  but,  fastening  here  and  there  on  the 
name  of  Joshua,  of  Gideon,  of  Samuel,  of  Saul,  or  of  David,  and 
narrating  the  history  of  the  times  with  the  circumstances  of  his 
life.  .  .  . 

Who  does  not  see  that  such  a  narrative  precisely  corresponds 
to  the  real  picture  of  a  nation's  history?  In  the  life  of  a  people 
there  are  always  great  epochs  of  change  and  activity,  occurring  at 
irregular  intervals  and  so  marked  and  characteristic  that  if  they 
be  once  understood,  all  the  lesser  details  and  intermediate  become 
intelligible  through  their  means. 

Moreover,  the  Scriptural  story  of  the  people  of  Israel  curiously 
resembles  the  actual  knowledge  which  even  the  most  accom- 
plished historical  scholar  possesses.  That  it  is  adapted  to  the 
needs  and  conditions  of  the  human  understanding  will  be  evident 
to  any  one  who  will  take  trouble  to  recall  his  own  experience,  and 
will  remember  how  he  has  secured  one  after  another  certain 
fixed  points  of  interest,  has  grouped  round  them,  Httle  by  little, 
the  facts  which  he  has  subsequently  acquired,  filled  up  the  inter- 
vals of  time  between  them  by  slow  degrees,  but  to  the  last  has 
continued  to  retain  his  hold  on  these  fixed  points,  and  to  refer 
every  new  acquisition  to  some  one  or  other  of  them. 

J.   G.    FlTCH. 


CONTENTS. 


Harratibes. 

PAGE 

I. 

The  Creation 19 

II. 

The  Creation,  contifmed 

21 

III. 

The  Garden  of  Eden     . 

22 

IV. 

Two  Brothers 

.       24 

V. 

The  Tower  of  Babel 

.       25 

VI. 

Abram  and  Lot 

.       26 

VII. 

Rebekah  and  her  Sons 

.       28 

VIII. 

Isaac  blesseth  Jacob 

.       29 

IX. 

Isaac  blesseth  Esau 

•       30 

X. 

Esau's  Hatred 

•       32 

XI. 

Joseph's  Dreams    . 

•       32 

XII. 

Joseph  sent  to  his  Brethren  . 

33 

XIII. 

Joseph  sold  into  Egypt 

34 

XIV. 

Pharaoh's  Dreams 

36 

XV. 

Joseph  interprets  Pharaoh's  Drean 

IS 

37 

XVI. 

Joseph's  Brethren  in  Egypt  . 

39 

XVII. 

Joseph,  Simeon,  and  Reuben 

40 

XVIII. 

Benjamin  sent  to  Egypt 

41 

XIX. 

Joseph  makes  himself  Known 

43 

XX. 

Joseph  sends  for  his  Father  Jacob 

44 

XXI. 

Jacob  brought  before  Pharaoh 

45 

XXII. 

Jacob's  Death  and  Burial 

47 

XXIII. 

Joseph's  Last  Days 

13 

• 

48 

14 


XXIV.  The  Children  of  Israel  Oppressed 

XXV.  Moses 

XXVI.  God's  Promise  to  the  Children  of  Israel 

XXVII.  The  Spies 

XXVIII.  Joshua's  Courage      . 

XXIX.  Moses  prays  for  the  People 

XXX.  The  Story  of  the  Trees     . 

XXXI.  Samuel  Called 

XXXII.  The  Story  of  Ruth  . 

XXXIII.  The  Story  of  Ruth,  continued 

XXXIV.  David  and  Goliath  . 
XXXV.  Goliath  Slain  . 

XXXVI.  David  and  Jonathan 

XXXVII.  Jonathan's  Friendship 

XXXVIII.  Saul's  Anger    . 

XXXIX.  Jonathan  rescues  David    . 

XL.  Absalom's  Rebellion 

XLI.  Absalom  Slain 

XLII.  David's  Sorrow  for  Absalom 

XLIII.  Solomon's  Dream     . 

XLIV.  Jonah's  Call  to  Repentance 

XLV.  Jonah's  Gourd 

XLVI.  Daniel's  Fidelity  to  his  God 

XLVII.  Daniel's  Deliverance 

XLVIII.  The  Shipwreck  and  Escape  of  Paul 


Parables. 


XLIX.  The  Sower       .         .         .        , 

L.  The  Tares 

LI.  The  Kingdom  of  Heaven 

LI  I.  The  Unmerciful  Servant  . 

LIII.  The  Laborers  in  the  Vineyard 


IS 


LIV.  The  Ten  Virgins    . 

LV.  The  Talents  . 

LVI.  The  Good  Samaritan 

LVII.  The  Rich  Fool       . 

LVIII.  The  Great  Supper 

LIX.  Seeking  the  Lost   . 

LX.  The  Prodigal  Son 

LXI.  The  Rich  Man  and  Lazarus 

LXII.  The  Pharisee  and  the  Publican 


PAGE 

93 
94 
96 

97 
98 

99 
100 
102 
103 


^agings  anti  ©iscoiirses. 

LXIIL     The  Blessed 104 

LXIV.     Love  your  Enemies.     Forgiveness          .         .         .  105 

LXV.     Love  and  Mercy 105 

LXVI.     Prayer 107 

LXVIL     Providence 108 

LXVIIL     Humility 109 

LXIX.     The    Tree    and    its    Fruit;     the    Heart    and    its 

Treasure  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .  iii 

LXX.     The  Two  Classes  of  Hearers  .         .         .         .112 

LXXI.     The  Good  Shepherd 113 

LXXn.     Feeding  the  Lambs  and  the  Sheep         .         .         .  114 


LXXHL  The  Two  Great  Commandments    . 

LXXIV.  The  Ten  Commandments      .... 

LXXV.  Hearkening  unto  the  Law      .... 

LXX VI.     Teaching  the  Law 

LXXVIL     Ancient  Laws 

LXXVHL  Treatment  of  the  Poor  and  of  Hired  Servants 

LXXIX.     The  Word  of  the  Lord 

LXXX.     The  Law  of  the  Lord 


116 
116 
117 
119 
119 
121 
122 
123 


i6 


^electcti  Psalms, 


LXXXI.  The  Godly  and  the  Ungodly 

LXXXII.  God's  Care  of  the  Good  Man 

LXXXIII.  The  God-fearing  Man    . 

LXXXIV.  The  Lord  my  Shepherd.     Trust  in  God 

LXXXV.  Longing  for  God    .... 

LXXXVL  The  Longing  of  the  Heart  for  God 

LXXXVn.  A  Psalm  of  Trustful  Gladness 

LXXXVin.  God's  Glory  in  the  Universe 

LXXXIX.  The  Heavens  Above      . 

XC.  A  Picture  of  God's  Creative  Power 

XCL  God  is  the  God  of  Creation,  Providence 

XCn.  An  Elegy       .         .         .         .         . 

XCHL  The  Prayer  of  Moses      . 

XCIV.  A  Prayer  for  Instmction  and  Forgiveness 

XCV.  Prayer  for  Forgiveness  . 

XCVL  A  Psalm  of  Penitence    . 

XCVn.  God's  Care  of  the  Afflicted    . 

XCVHL  God's  Goodness     .... 

XCIX.  Praise  the  Lord 

C.  Songs  of  Praise      .... 

CL  The  Praise  of  God  for  Blessings    . 

Cn.  God's  Ways  ..... 

CHL  God  our  Strength  and  Salvation     . 

CIV.  Victory  in  Trouble 

CV.  The  House  of  the  Lord 

CVL  Extol  the  Lord      .... 

CVn.  From  David's  Psalm  of  Thanksgiving 


and 


Grace 


17 


iFtom  Proberbs. 


CVIII.  "Striving  after  Wisdom   . 

CIX.  Counsel  and  Warning    . 

ex.  Contrasts       .... 

CXI.  Admonitions 

CXII.  Against  Indolence  and  Strife 

CXIII.  Against  Vain  Self-Praise  and  Presumption 

CXIV.  The  Virtuous  Woman    .... 


PAGE 
167 

168 

171 
172 


jFrom  tfje  ^ropl^ets. 


CXV. 

Purity    ..... 

. 

• 

176 

ex  VI. 

The  Vineyard 

176 

CXVII. 

Israel's  Song  of  Praise  for  Deliverance  . 

177 

CXVIII. 

The  Judgment  as  realizing  the  Idea  of  J 

ustice 

178 

CXIX. 

The  False  and  the  True  Nobility  . 

179 

cxx. 

Israel's  Redemption  and  Return  Home 

180 

CXXI. 

The  Final  Redemption  of  Israel     . 

181 

CXXII. 

The  Restoration  Accomplished 

182 

CXXIII. 

The  Man  of  Sorrows 

183 

CXXIV. 

The  Way  of  Salvation  . 

184 

cxxv. 

Healing 

186 

cxx  VI. 

The  Coming  Light 

187 

cxx  VII. 

Jerusalem  Restored 

187 

CXXVIII. 

The  Founder  of  Salvation 

.     188 

CXXIX. 

Personal  Responsibility 

.     190 

cxxx. 

Idols  in  the  Heart 

.     191 

CXXXI. 

Sin  brings  Calamity 

•     193 

CXXXII. 

Promises  of  Reconciliation 

•     194 

BIB.    READ.  —  2 

i8 


^£lecteti  Copies. 


CXXXIII.  Strong  Drink 

CXXXIV.  The  Slothful  and  the  Diligent 

CXXXV.  Exhortations  to  Various  Virtues 

CXXXVI.  Further  Exhortations  to  Virtue 

CXXXVII.  Love  or  Charity     . 

CXXXVIII.  The  Heart     .... 

CXXXIX.  The  Source  of  Good  and  Perfect  C 

CXL.  The  Tongue 

CXLI.  From  the  Divine  Song  of  Moses 

CXLII.  Gems  from  Proverbs 

CXLIII.  Gems  from  Proverbs,  continued 


Topical  Index 21 


:fts 


PAGE 
196 

199 

201 

202 
204 
205 
206 
208 
209 


BIBLE  READINGS  FOR  SCHOOLS. 


5j*ic 


I.     THE   CREATION. 

THE    FIRST,    SECOND,    THIRD,    AND    FOURTH    DAYS. 

IN  the  beginning  God  created  the  heaven  and  the  earth. 
And  the  earth  was  without  form,  and  void;  and  dark- 
ness was  upon  the  face  of  the  deep.  And  the  Spirit  of 
God  moved  upon  the  face  of  the  waters. 

And  God  said,  "  Let  there  be  light :  "  and  there  was 
light. 

And  God  saw  the  Hght,  that  it  was  good :  and  God 
divided  the  light  from  the  darkness. 

And  God  called  the  light  Day,  and  the  darkness  he 
called  Night.  And  the  evening  and  the  morning  were 
the  first  day. 

And  God  said,  "  Let  there  be  a  firmament  in  the  midst 
of  the  waters,  and  let  it  divide  the  waters  from  the 
waters." 

And  God  made  the  firmament,  and  divided  the  waters 
which  were  under  the  firmament  from  the  waters  which 
were  above  the  firmament :    and  it  was  so. 

19 


20 

And  God  called  the  firmament  Heaven.  And  the  even- 
ing and  the  morning  were  the  second  day. 

And  God  said,  "  Let  the  waters  under  the  heaven  be 
gathered  together  unto  one  place,  and  let  the  dry  land 
appear : "    and  it  was  so. 

And  God  called  the  dry  land  Earth ;  and  the  gathering 
together  of  the  waters  called  he  Seas :  and  God  saw  that 
it  was  good. 

And  God  said,  *'  Let  the  earth  bring  forth  grass,  the 
herb  yielding  seed,  and  the  fruit  tree  yielding  fruit  after 
his  kind,  whose  seed  is  in  itself,  upon  the  earth:"  and 
it  was  so. 

And  the  earth  brought  forth  grass,  and  herb  yielding 
seed  after  his  kind,  and  the  tree  yielding  fruit,  whose 
seed  was  in  itself,  after  his  kind :  and  God  saw  that  it 
was  good. 

And  the  evening  and  the  morning  were  the  third  day. 

And  God  said,  ''  Let  there  be  lights  in  the  firmament 
of  the  heaven  to  divide  the  day  from  the  night ;  and  let 
them  be  for  signs,  and  for  seasons,  and  for  days,  and 
years :  and  let  them  be  for  lights  in  the  firmament  of  the 
heaven  to  give  light  upon  the  earth  :  "  and  it  was  so. 

And  God  made  two  great  lights ;  the  greater  light  to 
rule  the  day,  and  the  lesser  light  to  rule  the  night :  he 
made  the  stars  also. 

And  God  set  them  in  the  firmament  of  the  heaven  to 
give  light  upon  the  earth,  and  to  rule  over  the  day  and 
over  the  night,  and  to  divide  the  light  from  the  darkness : 
and  God  saw  that  it  was  good. 

And  the  evening  and  the  morning  were  the  fourth  day. 

Genesis  i.  1-19. 


21 


II.     THE   CREATION. 

THE    FIFTH,    SIXTH,    AND    SEVENTH    DAYS. 

AND  God  said,  "  Let  the  waters  bring  forth  abundantly 
the  moving  creature  that  hath  hfe,  and  fowl  that 
may  fly  above  the  earth  in  the  open  firmament  of  heaven." 

And  God  created  great  whales,  and  every  living  crea- 
ture that  moveth,  which  the  waters  brought  forth  abun- 
dantly, after  their  kind,  and  every  winged  fowl  after  his 
kind :    and  God  saw  that  it  was  good. 

And  God  blessed  them,  saying,  *'  Be  fruitful,  and  mul- 
tiply, and  fill  the  waters  in  the  seas,  and  let  fowl  multiply 
in  the  earth." 

And  the  evening  and  the  morning  were  the  fifth  day. 

And  God  said,  '*  Let  the  earth  bring  forth  the  living 
creature  after  his  kind,  cattle,  and  creeping  thing,  and 
beast  of  the  earth  after  his  kind :  "    and  it  was  so. 

And  God  made  the  beast  of  the  earth  after  his  kind, 
and  cattle  after  their  kind,  and  every  thing  that  creepeth 
upon  the  earth  after  his  kind:  and  God  saw  that  it  was 
good. 

And  God  said,  "  Let  us  make  man  in  our  image,  after 
our  likeness :  and  let  them  have  dominion  over  the  fish 
of  the  sea,  and  over  the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  the  cattle, 
and  over  all  the  earth,  and  over  every  creeping  thing  that 
creepeth  upon  the  earth." 

So  God  created  man  in  his  own  image,  in  the  image  of 
God  created  he  him ;  male  and  female  created  he  them. 
And  God  blessed  them,  and  God   said   unto   them,   "  Be 


22 

fruitful,  and  multiply,  and  replenish  the  earth,  and  subdue 
it:  and  have  dominion  over  the  fish  of  the  sea,  and  over 
the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  every  living  thing  that  moveth 
upon  the  earth." 

And  God  said,  "  Behold,  I  have  given  you  every  herb 
bearing  seed,  which  is  upon  the  face  of  all  the  earth,  and 
every  tree,  in  the  which  is  the  fruit  of  a  tree  yielding  seed : 
to  you  it  shall  be  for  meat.  And  to  every  beast  of  the 
earth,  and  to  every  fowl  of  the  air,  and  to  every  thing  that 
creepeth  upon  the  earth,  wherein  there  is  life,  I  have  given 
every  green  herb  for  meat :  "  and  it  was  so. 

And  God  saw  every  thing  that  he  had  made,  and,  be- 
hold, it  was  very  good.  And  the  evening  and  the  morning 
were  the  sixth  day. 

Thus  the  heavens  and  the  earth  were  finished,  and  all 

the  host  of  them.     And  on  the  seventh  day  God  ended  his 

work  which  he  had  made ;  and  he  rested  on  the  seventh 

day  from  all   his  work  which   he  had  made.     And  God 

blessed  the  seventh  day,  and  sanctified  it :  because  that 

in  it  he  had  rested  from  all  his  work  which  God  created 

and  made. 

Genesis  i.  20-31  ;  11.  1-3. 


III.    THE   GARDEN    OF    EDEN. 

AND  the   Lord  God  formed  man  of  the  dust  of  the 
ground,  and  breathed  into  his  nostrils  the  breath  of 
life ;  and  man  became  a  living  soul. 

And  the  Lord  God  planted  a  garden  eastward  in  Eden ; 
and  there  he  put  the  man  whom  he  had  formed.  And 
out  of  the  ground  made  the   Lord  God   to   grow  every 


23 

tree  that  is  pleasant  to  the  sight,  and  good  for  food ; 
the  tree  of  life  also  in  the  midst  of  the  garden,  and  the 
tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil. 

And  the  Lord  God  took  the  man,  and  put  him  into  the 
garden  of  Eden  to  dress  it  and  to  keep  it. 

And  the  Lord  God  commanded  the  man,  saying,  "  Of 
every  tree  of  the  garden  thou  mayest  freely  eat :  but  of 
the  tree  of  the  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  thou  shalt 
not  eat  of  it :  for  in  the  day  that  thou  eatest  thereof  thou 
shalt  surely  die." 

And  the  Lord  God  said,  *'  It  is  not  good  that  the  man 
should  be  alone;  I  will  make  him  a  help  meet  for  him." 
And  out  of  the  ground  the  Lord  God  formed  every  beast 
of  the  field,  and  every  fowl  of  the  air ;  and  brought  them 
unto  Adam  to  see  what  he  would  call  them :  and  whatso- 
ever Adam  called  every  living  creature,  that  was  the  name 
thereof.  And  Adam  gave  names  to  all  cattle,  and  to  the 
fowl  of  the  air,  and  to  every  beast  of  the  field ;  but  for 
Adam  there  was  not  found  a  help  meet  for  him. 

And  the  Lord  God  caused  a  deep  sleep  to  fall  upon 
Adam,  and  he  slept;  and  he  took  one  of  his  ribs,  and 
closed  up  the  flesh  instead  thereof.  And  the  rib,  which 
the  Lord  God  had  taken  from  man,  made  he  a  woman, 
and  brought  her  unto  the  man. 

And  Adam  said,  *'  This  is  now  bone  of  my  bones,  and 
flesh  of  my  flesh  :  she  shall  be  called  Woman,  because 
she  was  taken  out  of  man." 

Therefore  shall  a  man  leave  his  father  and  his  mother, 
and  shall  cleave  unto  his  wife:  and  they  shall  be  one 
flesh. 

Genesis  ii.  7-9,  15-24. 


24 


IV.     TWO    BROTHERS. 

ABEL  was  a  keeper  of  sheep,  but  Cain  was  a  tiller  of 
the  ground. 

And  in  process  of  time  it  came  to  pass,  that  Cain 
brought  of  the  fruit  of  the  ground  an  offering  unto  the 
Lord,  and  Abel,  he  also  brought  of  the  firstlings  of  his 
flock  and  of  the  fat  thereof.  And  the  Lord  had  respect 
unto  Abel  and  to  his  offering :  but  unto  Cain  and  to  his 
offering  he  had  not  respect.  And  Cain  was  very  wroth, 
-and  his  countenance  fell. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Cain,  **  Why  art  thou  wroth } 
and  why  is  thy  countenance  fallen  ?  If  thou  doest  well, 
shalt  thou  not  be  accepted  ?  and  if  thou  doest  not  well,  sin 
lieth  at  the  door :  and  unto  thee  shall  be  his  desire,  and 
thou  shalt  rule  over  him." 

And  Cain  talked  with  Abel  his  brother  :  and  it  came 
to  pass,  when  they  were  in  the  field,  that  Cain  rose  up 
against  Abel  his  brother,  and  slew  him. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Cain,  "  Where  is  Abel  thy 
brother  ?  "  And  he  said,  "  I  know  not :  Am  I  my  brother's 
keeper  ? " 

And  he  said,  ''  What  hast  thou  done  ?  the  voice  of  thy 
brother's  blood  crieth  unto  me  from  the  ground.  And 
now  art  thou  cursed  from  the  earth,  which  hath  opened 
her  mouth  to  receive  thy  brother's  blood  from  thy  hand. 
When  thou  tillest  the  ground,  it  shall  not  henceforth  yield 
unto  thee  her  strength ;  a  fugitive  and  a  vagabond  shalt 
thou  be  in  the  earth." 


25 

And  Cain  said  unto  the  Lord,  '*  My  punishment  is 
greater  than  I  can  bear.  Behold,  thou  hast  driven  me 
out  this  day  from  the  face  of  the  earth;  and  from  thy 
face  shall  I  -be  hid  ;  and  I  shall  be  a  fugitive  and  a  vaga- 
bond in  the  earth ;  and  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  every 
one  that  findeth  me  shall  slay  me." 

And  the   Lord  said  unto  him,  ''Therefore  whosoever 

slayeth  Cain,  vengeance  shall  be  taken  on  him  sevenfold." 

And  the  Lord  set  a  mark  upon  Cain,  lest  any  finding  him 

should  kill  him. 

Genesis  iv.  2-15. 


V.     THE  TOWER  OF   BABEL. 

AND  the  whole  earth  was  of  one  language,  and  of 
one  speech. 

And  it  came  to  pass  as  they  journeyed  from  the  east, 
that  they  found  a  plain  in  the  land  of  Shinar;  and  they 
dwelt  there. 

And  they  said  one  to  another,  ''Go  to,  let  us  make 
brick,  and  burn  them  thoroughly."  And  they  had  brick 
for  stone,  and  sHme  had  they  for  mortar.  And  they 
said,  "  Go  to,  let  us  build  us  a  city,  and  a  tower,  whose 
top  may  reach  unto  heaven ;  and  let  us  make  us  a 
name,  lest  we  be  scattered  abroad  upon  the  face  of  the 
whole  earth." 

And  the  Lord  came  down  to  see  the  city  and  the 
tower,  which  the  children  of  men  builded.  And  the 
Lord    said,  "  Behold,  the  people   is   one,  and  they  have 


26 

all  one  language ;  and  this  they  begin  to  do :  and  now 
nothing  will  be  restrained  from  them,  which  they  have 
imagined  to  do.  Go  to,  let  us  go  down,  and  there  con- 
found their  language,  that  they  may  not  understand  one 
another's  speech." 

So  the  Lord  scattered  them  abroad  from  thence  upon 
the  face  of  all  the  earth :  and  they  left  off  to  build  the 
city. 

Therefore  is  the  name  of  it  called  Babel;  because  the 

Lord  did  there  confound  the  language  of  all  the  earth: 

and  from  thence  did  the  Lord  scatter  them  abroad  upon 

the  face  of  all  the  earth. 

Genesis  xi.  1-9. 

vl   abram  and  lot. 

ABRAM  went  up  out  of  Egypt,  he,  and  his  wife,  and 
all  that  he  had,  and  Lot  with  him,  into  the  south. 
And  Abram  was  very  rich  in  cattle,  in  silver,  and  in  gold. 
And  he  went  on  his  journeys  from  the  south  even  to 
Beth-el,  unto  the  place  where  his  tent  had  been  at  the 
beginning,  between  Beth-el  and  Hai;  unto  the  place  of 
the  altar,  which  he  had  made  there  at  the  first :  and  there 
Abram  called  on  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

And  Lot  also,  which  went  with  Abram,  had  flocks, 
and  herds,  and  tents.  And  the  land  was  not  able  to 
bear  them,  that  they  might  dwell  together:  for  their 
substance  was  great,  so  that  they  could  not  dwell  to- 
gether. And  there  was  a  strife  between  the  herdmen 
of    Abram's    cattle    and    the    herdmen    of    Lot's    cattle. 


27 

And  Abram  said  unto  Lot,  "  Let  there  be  no  strife,  I 
pray  thee,  between  me  and  thee,  and  between  my  herd- 
men  and  thy  herdmen ;  for  we  be  brethren.  Is  not  the 
whole  land  before  thee?  separate  thyself,  I  pray  thee, 
from  me :  if  thou  wilt  take  the  left  hand,  then  I  will  go 
to  the  right ;  or  if  thou  depart  to  the  right  hand,  then  I 
will  go  to  the  left." 

And  Lot  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  beheld  all  the  plain 
of  Jordan,  that  it  was  well  watered  every  where,  before 
the  Lord  destroyed  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  even  as  the 
garden  of  the  Lord,  like  the  land  of  Egypt,  as  thou 
comest  unto  Zoar. 

Then  Lot  chose  him  all  the  plain  of  Jordan ;  and 
Lot  journeyed  east :  and  they  separated  themselves  the 
one  from  the  other.  Abram  dwelt  in  the  land  of  Ca- 
naan, and  Lot  dwelt  in  the  cities  of  the  plain,  and 
pitched  his  tent  toward  Sodom. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Abram,  after  that  Lot  was 
separated  from  him,  "  Lift  up  now  thine  eyes,  and  look 
from  the  place  where  thou  art  northward,  and  south- 
ward, and  eastward,  and  westward :  for  all  the  land  which 
thou  seest,  to  thee  will  I  give  it,  and  to  thy  seed  for 
ever.  And  I  will  make  thy  seed  as  the  dust  of  the 
earth :  so  that  if  a  man  can  number  the  dust  of  the 
earth,  then  shall  thy  seed  also  be  numbered.  Arise, 
walk  through  the  land  in  the  length  of  it  and  in  the 
breadth  of  it;   for  I  will  give  it  unto  thee." 

Then  Abram  removed  his  tent,  and  came  and  dwelt 
in  the  plain  of  Mamre,  which  is  in  Hebron,  and  built 
there  an  altar  unto  the  Lord. 

Genesis  xiii.  1-12,  14-18. 


28 


VII.     REBEKAH   AND    HER   SONS. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  that  when  Isaac  was  old,  and  his 
eyes  were  dim,  so  that  he  could  not  see,  he  called 
Esau  his  eldest  son,  and  said  unto  him,  ''  My  son : "  and 
he  said  unto  him,  ''  Behold,  here  am  I." 

And  he  said,  "  Behold  now,  I  am  old,  I  know  not  the 
day  of  my  death :  now  therefore  take,  I  pray  thee,  thy 
weapons,  thy  quiver  and  thy  bow,  and  go  out  to  the  field, 
and  take  me.  some  venison ;  and  make  me  savoury  meat, 
such  as  I  love,  and  bring  it  to  me,  that  I  may  eat ;  that 
my  soul  may  bless  thee  before  I  die." 

And  Rebekah  heard  when  Isaac  spake  to  Esau  his  son. 
And  Esau  went  to  the  field  to  hunt  for  venison,  and  to 
bring  it. 

And  Rebekah  spake  unto  Jacob  her  son,  saying,  *'  Behold, 
I  heard  thy  father  speak  unto  Esau  thy  brother,  saying, 
*  Bring  me  venison,  and  make  me  savoury  meat,  that  I 
may  eat,  and  bless  thee  before  the  Lord  before  my  death.' 
Now  therefore,  my  son,  obey  my  voice  according  to  that 
which  I  command  thee.  Go  now  to  the  flock,  and  fetch 
me  from  thence  two  good  kids  of  the  goats ;  and  I  will 
make  them  savoury  meat  for  thy  father,  such  as  he  loveth : 
and  thou  shalt  bring  it  to  thy  father,  that  he  may  eat,  and 
that  he  may  bless  thee  before  his  death." 

And  Jacob  said  to  Rebekah  his  mother,  "  Behold,  Esau 
my  brother  is  a  hairy  man,  and  I  am  a  smooth  man :  my 
father  peradventure  will  feel  me,  and  I  shall  seem  to  him 
as  a  deceiver ;  and  I  shall  bring  a  curse  upon  me,  and  not 
a  blessing." 


29 

And  his  mother  said  unto  him,  ''  Upon  me  be  thy  curse, 
my  son :  only  obey  my  voice,  and  go  fetch  me  them." 

And  he  went,  and  fetched,  and  brought  them  to  his 
mother :  and  his  mother  made  savoury  meat,  such  as  his 
father  loved. 

And  Rebekah  took  goodly  raiment  of  her  eldest  son 
Esau,  which  were  with  her  in  the  house,  and  put  them 
upon  Jacob  her  younger  son  :  and  she  put  the  skins  of 
the  kids  of  the  goats  upon  his  hands,  and  upon  the  smooth 
of  his  neck  :  and  she  gave  the  savoury  meat  and  the 
bread,  which  she  had  prepared,  into  the  hand  of  her  son 

Jacob. 

Genesis  xxvii,  1-17. 

VIII.     ISAAC    BLESSETH    JACOB. 

AND  he  came  unto  his  father,  and  said,  *' My  father:" 
and  he  said,  "  Here  am  I ;  who  art  thou,  my  son  ? " 

And  Jacob  said  unto  his  father,  "I  am  Esau  thy  first- 
born ;  I  have  done  according  as  thou  badest  me :  arise,  I 
pray  thee,  sit  and  eat  of  my  venison,  that  thy  soul  may 
bless  me." 

And  Isaac  said  unto  his  son,  "  How  is  it  that  thou  hast 
found  it  so  quickly,  my  son  ? "  And  he  said,  "  Because 
the  Lord  thy  God  brought  it  to  me." 

And  Isaac  said  unto  Jacob,  "  Come  near,  I  pray  thee, 
that  I  may  feel  thee,  my  son,  whether  thou  be  my  very 
son  Esau  or  not." 

And  Jacob  went  near  unto  Isaac  his  father ;  and  he  felt 
him,  and  said,  "  The  voice  is  Jacob's  voice,  but  the  hands 
are  the  hands  of  Esau."     And  he  discerned  him  not,  be- 


30 

cause  his  hands  were  hairy,  as  his  brother  Esau's  hands : 
so  he  blessed  him. 

And  he  said,  ''Art  thou  my  very  son  Esau?"  And  he 
said,  "I  am." 

And  he  said,  "  Bring  it  near  to  me,  and  I  will  eat  of  my 
son's  'venison,  that  my  soul  may  bless  thee."  And  he 
brought  it  near  to  him,  and  he  did  eat :  and  he  brought 
him  wine,  and  he  drank. 

And  his  father  Isaac  said  unto  him,  *'  Come  near  now, 
and  kiss  me,  my  son." 

And  he  came  near,  and  kissed  him :  and  he  smelled  the 
smell  of  his  raiment,  and  blessed  him,  and  said,  *'  See,  the 
smell  of  my  son  is  as  the  smell  of  a  field  which  the  Lord 
hath  blessed :  therefore  God  give  thee  of  the  dew  of 
heaven,  and  the  fatness  of  the  earth,  and  plenty  of  corn 
and  wine :  let  people  serve  thee,  and  nations  bow  down 
to  thee :  be  lord  over  thy  brethren,  and  let  thy  mother's 
sons  bow  down  to  thee :  cursed  be  every  one  that  curseth 
thee,  and  blessed  be  he  that  blesseth  thee." 

Genesis  xxvii.  18-29. 

IX.     ISAAC    BLESSETH    ESAU. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  as  soon  as  Isaac  had  made  an 
end  of  blessing  Jacob,  and  Jacob  was  yet  scarce  gone 
out  from  the  presence  of  Isaac  his  father,  that  Esau  his 
brother  came  in  from  his  hunting. 

And  he  also  had  made  savoury  meat,  and  brought  it  unto 
his  father,  and  said  unto  his  father,  "  Let  my  father  arise, 
and  eat  of  his  son's  venison,  that  thy  soul  may  bless  me." 


31 

And  Isaac  his  father  said  unto  him,  **  Who  art  thou  ?  '* 
And  he  said,  ''I  am  thy  son,  thy  firstborn,  Esau." 

And  Isaac  trembled  very  exceedingly,  and  said,  "  Who  ? 
where  is  he  that  hath  taken  venison,  and  brought  it  me, 
and  I  have  eaten  of  all  before  thou  camest,  and  have 
blessed  him  ?  yea,  and  he  shall  be  blessed." 

And  when  Esau  heard  the  words  of  his  father,  he  cried 
with  a  great  and  exceeding  bitter  cry,  and  said  unto  his 
father,  "Bless  me,  even  me  also,  O  my  father." 

And  he  said,  ''  Thy  brother  came  with  subtilty,  and  hath 
taken  away  thy  blessing." 

And  he  said,  *'  Is  not  he  rightly  named  Jacob  ?  for  he 
hath  supplanted  me  these  two  times :  he  took  away  my 
birthright ;  and,  behold,  now  he  hath  taken  away  my 
blessing."  And  he  said,  '*  Hast  thou  not  reserved  a  bless- 
ing for  me  ? " 

And  Isaac  answered  and  said  unto  Esau,  "  Behold,  I 
have  made  him  thy  lord,  and  all  his  brethren  have  I  given 
to  him  for  servants;  and  with  corn  and  wine  have  I 
sustained  him :  and  what  shall  I  do  now  unto  thee,  my 
son  ? " 

And  Esau  said  unto  his  father,  '*  Hast  thou  but  one 
blessing,  my  father  ?  bless  me,  even  me  also,  O  my  father." 
And  Esau  lifted  up  his  voice,  and  wept. 

And  Isaac  his  father  answered  and  said  unto  him, 
"  Behold,  thy  dwelling  shall  be  the  fatness  of  the  earth, 
and  of  the  dew  of  heaven  from  above ;  and  by  thy  sword 
shalt  thou  live,  and  shalt  serve  thy  brother :  and  it  shall 
come  to  pass  when  thou  shalt  have  the  dominion,  that 
thou  shalt  break  his  yoke  from  off  thy  neck." 

Genesis  xxvii.  30-40. 


32 


X.     ESAU'S    HATRED. 

AND  Esau  hated  Jacob  because  of  the  blessing  where- 
with his  father  blessed  him :  and  Esau  said  in  his 
heart,  "  The  days  of  mourning  for  my  father  are  at  hand ; 
then  will  I  slay  my  brother  Jacob." 

And  these  words  of  Esau  her  elder  son  were  told  to 
Rebekah :  and  she  sent  and  called  Jacob  her  younger  son, 
and  said  unto  him,  *'  Behold,  thy  brother  Esau,  as  touch- 
ing thee,  doth  comfort  himself,  purposing  to  kill  thee. 
Now  therefore,  my  son,  obey  my  voice ;  and  arise,  flee 
thou  to  Laban  my  brother  to  Haran ;  and  tarry  with  him 
a  few  days,  until  thy  brother's  fury  turn  away ;  until  thy 
brother's  anger  turn  away  from  thee,  and  he  forget  that 
which  thou  hast  done  to  him :  then  I  will  send,  and  fetch 
thee  from  thence :  why  should  I  be  deprived  also  of  you 

both  in  one  day  .''  " 

Genesis  xxvii.  41-45. 


XI.     JOSEPH'S    DREAMS. 

NOW  Israel  loved  Joseph  more  than  all  his  children, 
because  he  was  the  son  of  his  old  age :  and  he  made 
him  a  coat  of  many  colours.  And  when  his  brethren  saw 
that  their  father  loved  him  more  than  all  his  brethren, 
they  hated  him,  and  could  not  speak  peaceably  unto  him. 
And  Joseph  dreamed  a  dream,  and  he  told  it  his 
brethren :    and  they  hated  him  yet  the  more. 

And  he  said  unto  them,  "  Hear,  I  pray  you,  this  dream 


33 

which  I  have  dreamed :  for,  behold,  we  were  binding 
sheaves  in  the  field,  and,  lo,  my  sheaf  arose,  and  also 
stood  upright;  and,  behold,  your  sheaves  stood  round 
about,  and  made  obeisance  to  my  sheaf." 

And  his  brethren  said  to  him,  "  Shalt  thou  indeed  reign 
over  us?  or  shalt  thou  indeed  have  dominion  over  us?" 
And  they  hated  him  yet  the  more  for  his  dreams,  and  for 
his  words. 

And  he  dreamed  yet  another  dream,  and  told  it  his 
brethren,  and  said,  "  Behold,  I  have  dreamed  a  dream 
more ;  and,  behold,  the  sun  and  the  moon  and  the  eleven 
stars  made  obeisance  to  me." 

And  he  told  it  to  his  father,  and  to  his  brethren :  and 
his  father  rebuked  him,  and  said  unto  him,  *'  What  is  this 
dream  that  thou  hast  dreamed  ?  Shall  I  and  thy  mother 
and  thy  brethren  indeed  come  to  bow  down  ourselves  to 
thee  to  the  earth  ?  " 

And  his  brethren  envied  him ;  but  his  father  observed 

the  saying. 

Genesis  xxxvii.  3-1 1. 


XII.     JOSEPH   SENT   TO    HIS    BRETHREN. 

AND  his  brethren  went  to  feed  their  father's  flock  in 
Shechem.  And  Israel  said  unto  Joseph,  "  Do  not 
thy  brethren  feed  the  flock  in  Shechem  ?  come,  and  I  will 
send  thee  unto  them."  And  he  said  to  him,  "  Here 
am  I." 

And  he  said  to  him,  "  Go,  I  pray  thee,  see  whether  it 
be  well  with  thy  brethren,  and  well  with  the  flocks  ;  and 

BIB.    READ.  —  3  ^^^^ 

f  Ojr    THH        ^       >V 


34 

bring  me  word  again."  So  he  sent  him  out  of  the  vale  of 
Hebron,  and  he  came  to  Shechem. 

And  a  certain  man  found  him,  and,  behold,  he  was 
wandering  in  the  field :  and  the  man  asked  him,  saying, 
•'What  seekest  thou?" 

And  he  said,  "  I  seek  my  brethren  :  tell  me,  I  pray  thee, 
where  they  feed  their  flocks." 

And  the  man  said,  "They  are  departed  hence;  for  I 
heard  them  say,  '  Let  us  go  to  Dotham.'"  And  Joseph 
went  after  his  brethren,  and  found  them  in  Dotham. 

And  when  they  saw  him  afar  off,  even  before  he  came 
near  unto  them,  they  conspired  against  him  to  slay  him. 
And  they  said  one  to  another,  "  Behold,  this  dreamer  Com- 
eth. Come  now  therefore,  and  let  us  slay  him,  and  cast 
him  into  some  pit,  and  we  will  say  some  evil  beast  hath 
devoured  him  ;  and  we  shall  see  what  will  become  of  his 
dreams." 

And  Reuben  heard  it,  and  he  delivered  him  out  of  their 

hands;  and  said,  "Let  us  not  kill  him."     And  Reuben 

said  unto  them,  "  Shed  no  blood,  but  cast  him  into  this  pit 

that  is  in  the  wilderness,  and  lay  no  hand  upon  him;"  that 

he  might  rid  him  out  of  their  hands,  to  deliver  him  to  his 

father  again. 

Genesis  xxxvii.  12-22. 


Xin.  JOSEPH  SOLD  INTO  EGYPT. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  when  Joseph  was  come  unto  his 
brethren,  that  they  stripped  Joseph  out  of  his  coat, 
his  coat  of  many  colours  that  was  on  him ;  and  they  took 


35 

him,  and  cast  him  into  a  pit :  and  the  pit  was  empty,  there 
was  no  water  in  it. 

And  they  sat  down  to  eat  bread  :  and  they  Hfted  up 
their  eyes  and  looked,  and,  behold,  a  company  of  Ishmael- 
ites  came  from  Gilead,  with  their  camels  bearing  spicery 
and  balm  and  myrrh,  going  to  carry  it  down  to  Egypt. 

And  Judah  said  unto  his  brethren,  "  What  profit  is  it  if 
we  slay  our  brother,  and  conceal  his  blood  ?  Come,  and 
let  us  sell  him  to  the  Ishmaelites,  and  let  not  our  hand  be 
upon  him  ;  for  he  is  our  brother  and  our  flesh  :  "  and  his 
brethren  were  content. 

Then  there  passed  by  Midianites,  merchantmen ;  and 
they  drew  and  lifted  up  Joseph  out  of  the  pit,  and  sold 
Joseph  to  the  Ishmaelites  for  twenty  pieces  of  silver :  and 
they  brought  Joseph  into  Egypt. 

And  Reuben  returned  unto  the  pit ;  and,  behold,  Joseph 
was  not  in  the  pit ;  and  he  rent  his  clothes.  And  he  re- 
turned unto  his  brethren,  and  said,  **  The  child  is  not ;  and 
I,  whither  shall  I  go .?  " 

And  they  took  Joseph's  coat,  and  killed  a  kid  of  the 
goats,  and  dipped  the  coat  in  the  blood ;  and  they  sent  the 
coat  of  many  colours,  and  they  brought  it  to  their  father ; 
and  said,  "  This  have  we  found  :  know  now  whether  it  be 
thy  son's  coat  or  no." 

And  he  knew  it,  and  said,  **  It  is  my  son's  coat ;  an  evil 
beast  hath  devoured  him  ;  Joseph  is  without  doubt  rent  in 
pieces." 

And  Jacob  rent  his  clothes,  and  put  sackcloth  upon  his 
loins,  and  mourned  for  his  son  many  days.  And  all  his 
sons  and  all  his  daughters  rose  up  to  comfort  him ;  but  he 
refused  to  be  comforted;  and  he  said,  *'  For  I  will  go  down 


36 

into  the  grave  unto  my  son  mourning."     Thus  his  father 
wept  for  him. 

And  the  Midianites  sold  him  into  Egypt  unto  Potiphar, 
an  officer  of  Pharaoh's,  and  captain  of  the  guard. 

Genesis  xxxvii.  23-36. 

XIV.     PHARAOH'S  DREAMS. 

AND  it  came  to  pass  at  the  end  of  two  full  years,  that 
Pharaoh  dreamed :  and,  behold,  he  stood  by  the 
river.  And,  behold,  there  came  up  out  of  the  river  seven 
well  favoured  kine  and  fatfleshed ;  and  they  fed  in  a 
meadow.  And,  behold,  seven  other  kine  came  up  after 
them  out  of  the  river,  ill  favoured  and  leanfleshed ;  and 
stood  by  the  other  kine  upon  the  brink  of  the  river.  And 
the  ill  favoured  and  leanfleshed  kine  did  eat  up  the  seven 
well  favoured  and  fat  kine.     So  Pharaoh  awoke. 

And  he  slept  and  dreamed  the  second  time  :  and,  behold, 
seven  ears  of  corn  came  up  upon  one  stalk,  rank  and  good. 
And,  behold,  seven  thin  ears  and  blasted  with  the  east 
wind  sprung  up  after  them.  And  the  seven  thin  ears 
devoured  the  seven  rank  and  full  ears.  And  Pharaoh 
awoke,  and,  behold,  it  was  a  dream. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  morning  that  his  spirit  was 
troubled ;  and  he  sent  and  called  for  all  the  magicians  of 
Egypt,  and  all  the  wise  men  thereof :  and  Pharaoh  told 
them  his  dream ;  but  there  was  none  that  could  interpret 
them  unto   Pharaoh. 

Then  spake  the  chief  butler  unto  Pharaoh,  saying,  "  I 
do  remember  my  faults  this  day :  Pharaoh  was  wroth  with 


37 

his  servants,  and  put  me  in  ward  in  the  captain  of  the 

guard's    house,  both    me    and    the    chief   baker :    and  we 

dreamed   a  dream   in    one  night,   I  and  he  :  we  dreamed 

each  man  according  to  the  interpretation  of  his  dream. 

"  And  there  was  there  with  us  a  young  man,  a  Hebrew, 

servant  to  the  captain  of  the  guard ;  and  we  told  him,  and 

he  interpreted  to  us  our  dreams  ;  to  each  man  according 

to  his  dream  he  did  interpret.     And  it  came  to  pass,  as  he 

interpreted  to  us,  so  it  was ;    me  he  restored  unto  mine 

office,  and  him  he  hanged." 

Genesis  xli.  1-13. 

XV.     JOSEPH    INTERPRETS    PHARAOH'S 
DREAMS. 

AND  Joseph  said  unto  Pharaoh,  **  The  dream  of  Pharaoh 
is  one :  God  hath  shewed  Pharaoh  what  he  is  about 
to  do. 

*'The  seven  good  kine  are  seven  years;  and  the  seven 
good  ears  are  seven  years :  the  dream  is  one.  And  the 
seven  thin  and  ill  favoured  kine  that  came  up  after  them 
are  seven  years ;  and  the  seven  empty  ears  blasted  with 
the  east  wind  shall  be  seven  years  of  famine. 

"  This  is  the  thing  which  I  have  spoken  unto  Pharaoh  : 
What  God  is  about  to  do  he  sheweth  unto  Pharaoh. 

**  Behold,  there  come  seven  years  of  great  plenty  through- 
out all  the  land  of  Egypt:  and  there  shall  arise  after 
them  seven  years  of  famine ;  and  all  the  plenty  shall  be 
forgotten  in  the  land  of  Egypt ;  and  the  famine  shall  con- 
sume the  land ;  and  the  plenty  shall  not  be  known  in 
the  land  by  reason  of  that  famine  following ;  for  it  shall 


38 

be  very  grievous.  And  for  that  the  dream  was  doubled 
unto  Pharaoh  twice ;  it  is  because  the  thing  is  estabUshed 
by  God,  and  God  will  shortly  bring  it  to  pass. 

"  Now  therefore  let  Pharaoh  look  out  a  man  discreet  and 
wise,  and  set  him  over  the  land  of  Egypt.  Let  Pharaoh 
do  this,  and  let  him  appoint  officers  over  the  land,  and 
take  up  the  fifth  part  of  the  land  of  Egypt  in  the  seven 
plenteous  years.  And  let  them  gather  all  the  food  of 
those  good  years  that  come,  and  lay  up  corn  under  the 
hand  of  Pharaoh,  and  let  them  keep  food  in  the  cities. 
And  that  food  shall  be  for  store  to  the  land  against  the 
seven  years  of  famine,  which  shall  be  in  the  land  of  Egypt ; 
that  the  land  perish  not  through  the  famine." 

And  the  thing  was  good  in  the  eyes  of  Pharaoh,  and  in 
the  eyes  of  all  his  servants.  And  Pharaoh  said  unto  his 
servants,  "  Can  we  find  such  a  one  as  this  is,  a  man  in 
whom  the  Spirit  of  God  is  ? " 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  "  Forasmuch  as  God 
hath  shewed  thee  all  this,  there  is  none  so  discreet  and 
wise  as  thou  art :  thou  shalt  be  over  my  house,  and 
according  unto  thy  word  shall  all  my  people  be  ruled  : 
only  in  the  throne  will  I  be  greater  than  thou." 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  **  See,  I  have  set  thee 
over  all  the  land  of  Egypt." 

And  Pharaoh  took  off  his  ring  from  his  hand,  and  put 

it  upon  Joseph's  hand,  and  arrayed  him  in  vestures  of  fine 

linen,  and  put  a  gold  chain  about  his  neck  ;  and  he  made 

him  to  ride  in  the  second  chariot  which  he  had ;  and  they 

cried  before  him,    **  Bow  the  knee  : "  and    he    made  him 

ruler  over  all  the  land  of  Egypt. 

Genesis  xli.  25-43. 


39 


XVI.    JOSEPH'S    BRETHREN    IN    EGYPT. 

NOW  when  Jacob  saw  that  there  was  corn  in  Egypt, 
Jacob  said  unto  his  sons,  "  Why  do  ye  look  one 
upon  another?"  And  he  said,  ''Behold,  I  have  heard 
that  there  is  corn  in  Egypt :  get  you  down  thither,  and 
buy  for  us  from  thence ;  that  we  may  live,  and  not  die." 

And  Joseph's  ten  brethren  went  down  to  buy  corn  in 
Egypt.  But  Benjamin,  Joseph's  brother,  Jacob  sent  not 
with  his  brethren ;  for  he  said,  ''  Lest  peradventure  mis- 
chief befall  him." 

And  the  sons  of  Israel  came  to  buy  corn  among  those 
that  came :  for  the  famine  was  in  the  land  of  Canaan. 
And  Joseph  was  the  governor  over  the  land,  and  he  it 
was  that  sold  to  all  the  people  of  the  land :  and  Joseph's 
brethren  came,  and  bowed  down  themselves  before  him 
with  their  faces  to  the  earth. 

And  Joseph  saw  his  brethren,  and  he  knew  them,  but 
made  himself  strange  unto  them,  and  spake  roughly  unto 
them ;  .and  he  said  unto  them,  ''  Whence  come  ye } " 
And  they  said,  "  From  the  land  of  Canaan  to  buy  food." 

And  Joseph  knew  his  brethren,  but  they  knew  not  him. 
And  Joseph  remembered  the  dreams  which  he  dreamed 
of  them,  and  said  unto  them,  "  Ye  are  spies ;  to  see  the 
nakedness  of  the  land  ye  are  come." 

And  they  said  unto  him,  "  Nay,  my  lord,  but  to  buy 
food  are  thy  servants  come.  We  are  all  one  man's  sons ; 
we  are  true  men ;  thy  servants  are  no  spies." 

And  he  said  unto  them,  "  Nay,  but  to  see  the  nakedness 
of  the  land  ye  are  come."     And  they  said,  **  Thy  servants 


40 

are  twelve  brethren,  the  sons  of  one  man  in  the  land  of 
Canaan ;  and,  behold,  the  youngest  is  this  day  with  our 
father,  and  one  is  not." 

And  Joseph  said  unto  them,  "That  is  it  that  I  spake 
unto  you,  saying  ye  are  spies :  hereby  ye  shall  be 
proved :  by  the  life  of  Pharaoh  ye  shall  not  go  forth 
hence,  except  your  youngest  brother  come  hither.  Send 
one  of  you,  and  let  him  fetch  your  brother,  and  ye  shall  be 
kept  in  prison,  that  your  words  may  be  proved,  whether 
there  be  any  truth  in  you :  or  else  by  the  life  of  Pharaoh 
surely  ye  are  spies." 

And  he  put  them  all  together  into  ward  three  days. 

Genesis  xlii.  1-17. 

XVII.     JOSEPH,    SIMEON,    AND    REUBEN. 

AND  Joseph  said  unto  them  the  third  day,  "This  do, 
and  live ;  for  I  fear  God :  if  ye  be  true  men,  let  one 
of  your  brethren  be  bound  in  the  house  of  your  prison : 
go  ye,  carry  corn  for  the  famine  of  your  houses :  but 
bring  your  youngest  brother  unto  me  ;  so  shall  your  words 
be  verified,  and  ye  shall  not  die."     And  they  did  so. 

And  they  said  one  to  another,  "  We  are  verily  guilty 
concerning  our  brother,  in  that  we  saw  the  anguish  of  his 
soul,  when  he  besought  us,  and  we  would  not  hear ;  there- 
fore is  this  distress  come  upon  us." 

And  Reuben  answered  them,  saying,  "  Spake  I  not 
unto  you,  saying,  Do  not  sin  against  the  child  ;  and  ye 
would  not  hear.!^  therefore,  behold,  also  his  blood  is  re- 
quired." 


41 

And  they  knew  not  that  Joseph  understood  them  ;  for 
he  spake  unto  them  by  an  interpreter.  And  he  turned 
himself  about  from  them,  and  wept ;  and  returned  to  them 
again,  and  communed  with  them,  and  took  from  them 
Simeon,  and  bound  him  before  their  eyes. 

Then  Joseph  commanded  to  fill  their  sacks  with  corn, 
and  to  restore  every  man's  money  into  his  sack,  and  to 
give  them  provision  for  the  way :  and  thus  did  he  unto 
them.  And  they  laded  their  asses  with  the  corn,  and 
departed  thence. 

And  as  one  of  them  opened  his  sack  to  give  his  ass 
provender  in  the  inn,  he  espied  his  money ;  for,  behold, 
it  was  in  his  sack's  mouth.  And  he  said  unto  his  breth- 
ren, '*  My  money  is  restored ;  and,  lo,  it  is  even  in  my 
sack: "  and  their  heart  failed  them,  and  they  were  afraid, 
saying  one  to  another,  ''  What  is  this  that  God  hath  done 

unto  us  .'*  " 

Genesis  xlii.  18-28. 


XVIII.     BENJAMIN    SENT   TO    EGYPT. 

AND  the  famine  was  sore  in  the  land.  And  it  came 
to  pass,  when  they  had  eaten  up  the  corn  which 
they  had  brought  out  of  Egypt,  their  father  said  unto 
them,  '*  Go  again,  buy  us  a  little  food." 

And  Judah  spake  unto  him,  saying,  "  The  man  did 
solemnly  protest  unto  us,  saying,  '  Ye  shall  not  see  my 
face,  except  your  brother  be  with  you.'  If  thou  wilt 
send  our  brother  with  us,  we  will  go  down  and  buy  thee 
food :    but  if   thou    wilt    not    send    him,    we    will    not    go 


42 

down :    for  the  man  said  unto  us,  '  Ye  shall  not  see  my 
face,  except  your  brother  be  with  you.'  " 

And  Israel  said,  ''Wherefore  dealt  ye  so  ill  with  me, 
as  to  tell  the  man  whether  ye  had  yet  a  brother?" 

And  they  said,  "  The  man  asked  us  straitly  of  our  state, 
and  of  our  kindred,  saying,  '  Is  your  father  yet  alive  ? 
have  ye  another  brother  ? '  and  we  told  him  according  to 
the  tenor  of  these  words :  could  we  certainly  know  that 
he  would  say,  'Bring  your  brother  down?'" 

And  Judah  said  unto  Israel  his  father,  "  Send  the  lad 
with  me,  and  we  will  arise  and  go ;  that  we  may  live, 
and  not  die,  both  we,  and  thou,  and  also  our  little  ones. 
I  will  be  surety  for  him ;  of  my  hand  shalt  thou  require 
him :  if  I  bring  him  not  unto  thee,  and  set  him  before 
thee,  then  let  me  bear  the  blame  for  ever  :  for  except 
we  had  lingered,  surely  now  we  had  returned  this  second 
time." 

And  their  father  Israel  said  unto  them,  "  If  it  must  be 
so  now,  do  this ;  take  of  the  best  fruits  in  the  land  in 
your  vessels,  and  carry  down  the  man  a  present,  a  little 
balm,  and  a  little  honey,  spices  and  myrrh,  nuts  and 
almonds :  and  take  double  money  in  your  hand ;  and 
the  money  that  was  brought  again  in  the  mouth  of  your 
sacks,  carry  it  again  in  your  hand ;  peradventure  it  was 
an  oversight. 

"  Take  also  your  brother,  and  arise,  go  again  unto  the 
man :  and  God  Almighty  give  you  mercy  before  the 
man,  that  he  may  send  away  your  other  brother,  and 
Benjamin.  If  I  be  bereaved  of  my  children,  I  am  be- 
reaved." 

Genesis  xliii   1-14. 


43 


XIX.     JOSEPH    MAKES    HIMSELF    KNOWN. 

THEN  Joseph  could  not  refrain  himself  before  all 
them  that  stood  by  him ;  and  he  cried,  *'  Cause 
every  man  to  go  out  from  me."  And  there  stood  no 
man  with  him,  while  Joseph  made  himself  known  unto 
his  brethren.  And  he  wept  aloud :  and  the  Egyptians 
and  the  house  of  Pharaoh  heard. 

And  Joseph  said  unto  his  brethren,  "  I  am  Joseph ; 
doth  my  father  yet  live  .^ "  And  his  brethren  could  not 
answer  him ;    for  they  were  troubled  at  his  presence. 

And  Joseph  said  unto  his  brethren,  "  Come  near  to 
me,  I  pray  you."  And  they  came  near.  And  he  said, 
"  I  am  Joseph  your  brother,  whom  ye  sold  into  Egypt. 
Now  therefore  be  not  grieved,  nor  angry  with  your- 
selves, that  ye  sold  me  hither :  for  God  did  send  me 
before  you  to  preserve  life. 

"  For  these  two  years  hath  the  famine  been  in  the 
land :  and  yet  there  are  five  years,  in  the  which  there  shall 
neither  be  earing  nor  harvest.  And  God  sent  me  before 
you  to  preserve  you  a  posterity  in  the  earth,  and  to  save 
your  lives  by  a  great  deliverance.  So  now  it  was  not 
you  that  sent  me  hither,  but  God :  and  he  hath  made 
me  a  father  to  Pharaoh,  and  lord  of  all  his  house,  and 
a  ruler  throughout  all  the  land  of  Egypt. 

"  Haste  ye,  and  go  up  to  my  father,  and  say  unto 
him,  'Thus  saith  thy  son  Joseph,  "God  hath  made  me 
lord  of  all  Egypt :  come  down  unto  me,  tayry  not :  and 
thou  shalt  dwell  in  the  land  of  Goshen,  Z-ud  thou  shalt 
be  near  unto  me ;    thou,  and  thy  children    and  thy  chil- 


44 

dren's  children,  and  thy  flocks,  and  thy  herds,  and  all 
that  thou  hast :  and  there  will  I  nourish  thee ;  for  yet 
there  are  five  years  of  famine ;  lest  thou,  and  thy  house- 
hold, and  all  that  thou  hast,  come  to  poverty."  ' 

''  And,  behold,  your  eyes  see,  and  the  eyes  of  my 
brother  Benjamin,  that  it  is  my  mouth  that  speaketh 
unto  you.  And  ye  shall  tell  my  father  of  all  my  glory 
in  Egypt,  and  of  all  that  ye  have  seen ;  and  ye  shall 
haste  and  bring  down  my  father  hither." 

And  he  fell  upon  his  brother  Benjamin's  neck,  and 
wept ;    and  Benjamin  wept  upon  his  neck. 

Moreover,  he  kissed  all  his  brethren,  and  wept  upon 
them  :    and  after  that  his  brethren  talked  with  him. 

Genesis  xlv.  1-15. 


XX.     JOSEPH    SENDS    FOR    HIS    FATHER 
JACOB. 

AND  the  fame  thereof  was  heard  in  Pharaoh's  house, 
saying,     "  Joseph's    brethren     are    come : "    and    it 
pleased  Pharaoh  well,  and  his  servants. 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  "  Say  unto  thy  brethren, 
'  This  do  ye ;  lade  your  beasts,  and  go,  get  you  unto  the 
land  of  Canaan ;  and  take  your  father  and  your  house- 
holds, and  come  unto  me  :  and  I  will  give  you  the  good 
of  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  ye  shall  eat  the  fat  of  the 
land.  Now  thou  art  commanded,  this  do  ye  ;  take  you 
wagons  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt  for  your  little  ones,  and 
for  your  wives,  and  bring  your  father,  and   come.     Also 


45 

regard  not  your  stuff;  for  the  good  of  all  the  land  of 
Egypt  is  yours.'  " 

And  the  children  of  Israel  did  so :  and  Joseph  gave 
them  wagons,  according  to  the  commandment  of  Pharaoh, 
and  gave  them  provision  for  the  way.  To  all  of  them  he 
gave  each  man  changes  of  raiment;  but  to  Benjamin  he 
gave  three  hundred  pieces  of  silver,  and  five  changes 
of  raiment.  And  to  his  father  he  sent  after  this  man- 
ner ;  ten  asses  laden  with  the  good  things  of  Egypt,  and 
ten  she  asses  laden  with  corn  and  bread  and  meat  for  his 
father  by  the  way. 

So  he  sent  his  brethren  away,  and  they  departed :  and 
he  said  unto  them,  "  See  that  ye  fall  not  out  by  the  way." 

And  they  went  up  out  of  Egypt,  and  came  into  the  land 

of  Canaan  unto  Jacob  their  father,  and  told  him,  saying, 

"  Joseph  is  yet  alive,  and  he  is  governor  over  all  the  land 

of   Egypt."     And  Jacob's   heart  fainted,  for  he  believed 

them  not.     And  they  told  him  all  the  words  of  Joseph, 

which    he    had    said  unto    them :  and    when    he    saw  the 

wagons  which   Joseph   had   sent  to  carry   him,  the  spirit 

of  Jacob   their   father  revived.     And   Israel  said,   **  It  is 

enough ;  Joseph  my  son  is  yet  alive :  I  will  go  and  see 

him  before  I  die." 

Genesis  xlv.  16-28. 

XXI.  JACOB  BROUGHT  BEFORE  PHARAOH. 

THEN  Joseph  came  and  told  Pharaoh,  and  said,  "My 
father  and  my  brethren,  and  their  flocks,  and  their 
herds,  and  all  that  they  have,  are  come  out  of  the  land  of 
Canaan ;  and,  behold,  they  are  in  the  land  of  Goshen." 


46 

And  he  took  some  of  his  brethren,  even  five  men,  and 
presented  them  unto  Pharaoh. 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  his  brethren,  "  What  is  your  occu- 
pation ?  "  And  they  said  unto  Pharaoh,  "Thy  servants  are 
shepherds,  both  we,  and  also  our  fathers."  They  said  more- 
over unto  Pharaoh,  *'  For  to  sojourn  in  the  land  are  we 
come  ;  for  thy  servants  have  no  pasture  for  their  flocks  ;  for 
the  famine  is  sore  in  the  land  of  Canaan  :  now  therefore, 
we  pray  thee,  let  thy  servants  dwell  in  the  land  of  Goshen." 

And  Pharaoh  spake  unto  Joseph,  saying,  "  Thy  father 
and  ':hy  brethren  are  come  unto  thee  :  the  land  of  Egypt 
is  before  thee;  in  the  best  of  the  land  make  thy  father 
and  brethren  to  dwell;  in  the  land  of  Goshen  let  them 
dwell :  and  if  thou  knowest  any  men  of  activity  among 
them,  then  make  them  rulers  over  my  cattle." 

And  Joseph  brought  in  Jacob  his  father,  and  set  him 
before  Pharaoh  :  and  Jacob  blessed  Pharaoh. 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Jacob,  ''How  old  art  thou.?" 
And  Jacob  said  unto  Pharaoh,  ''  The  days  of  the  years 
of  my  pilgrimage  are  a  hundred  and  thirty  years :  few 
and  evil  have  the  days  of  the  years  of  my  life  been,  and 
have  not  attained  unto  the  days  of  the  years  of  the  life 
of  my  fathers  in  the  days  of  their  pilgrimage."  And 
Jacob  blessed  Pharaoh,  and  went  out  from  before  Pharaoh. 

And  Joseph  placed  his  father  and  his  brethren,  and 
gave  them  a  possession  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  in  the  best 
of  the  land,  in  the  land  of  Rameses,  as  Pharaoh  had  com- 
manded. And  Joseph  nourished  his  father,  and  his  breth- 
ren, and  all  his  father's  household,  with  bread,  according 
to  their  families. 

Genesis  xlvii.  1-12. 


47 


XXII.     JACOB'S    DEATH    AND    BURIAL. 

AND  Israel  dwelt  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  in  the  country 
of  Goshen ;  and  they  had  possessions  therein,  and 
grew,  and  multiplied  exceedingly.  And  Jacob  lived  in 
the  land  of  Egypt  seventeen  years  :  so  the  whole  age  of 
Jacob  was  a  hundred    forty  and    seven    years. 

And  the  time  drew  nigh  that  Israel  must  die :  and  he 
called  his  son  Joseph,  and  said  unto  him,  ''  If  now  I  have 
found  grace  in  thy  sight,  put,  I  pray  thee,  thy  ^and 
under  my  thigh,  and  deal  kindly  and  truly  with  me ;  bury 
me  not,  I  pray  thee,  in  Egypt :  but  I  will  lie  with  my 
fathers,  and  thou  shalt  carry  me  out  of  Egypt,  and  bury 
me  in  their  buryingplace."  And  he  said,  "  I  will  do  as 
thou  hast  said." 

And  he  said,  "  Swear  unto  me."  And  he  sware  unto 
him.     And  Israel  bowed  himself  upon  the  bed's  head. 

And  Joseph  fell  upon  his  father's  face,  and  wept  upon 
him,  and  kissed  him. 

And  Joseph  commanded  his  servants  the  physicians  to 
embalm  his  father :  and  the  physicians  embalmed  Israel. 
And  forty  days  were  fulfilled  for  him ;  for  so  are  fulfilled 
the  days  of  those  which  are  embalmed :  and  the  Egyptians 
mourned  for  him  threescore  and  ten  days. 

And  when  the  days  of  his  mourning  were  past,  Joseph 
spake  unto  the  house  of  Pharaoh,  saying,  "  If  now  Ihave 
found  grace  in  your  eyes,  speak,  I  pray  you,  in  the  ears 
of  Pharaoh,  saying,  '  My  father  made  me  swear,  saying, 
Lo,  I  die  :  in  my  grave  which  I  have  digged  for  me  in  the 
land  of  Canaan,  there  shalt  thou  bury  me.     Now  there- 


48 

fore  let  me  go  up,  I  pray  thee,  and  bury  my  father,  and 
I  will  come  agam.'  " 

And  Pharaoh  said,  *'Go  up,  and  bury  thy  father,  accord- 
ing as  he  made  thee  swear." 

And  Joseph  went  up  to  bury  his  father :  and  with  him 
went  up  all  the  servants  of  Pharaoh,  the  elders  of  his 
house,  and  all  the  elders  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  all 
the  house  of  Joseph,  and  his  brethren,  and  his  father's 
house  :  only  their  little  ones,  and  their  flocks,  and  their 
herds,  they  left  in  the  land  of  Goshen.  And  there  went 
up  with  him  both  chariots  and  horsemen :  and  it  was  a 
very  great  company. 

And  they  came  to  the  threshingfloor  of  Atad,  which  is 
beyond  Jordan ;  and  there  they  mourned  with  a  great  and 
very  sore  lamentation :  and  he  made  a  mourning  for  his 
father  seven  days. 

And  his  sons  did  unto  him  according  as  he  commanded 
them :  for  his  sons  carried  him  into  the  land  of  Canaan, 
and  buried  him  in  the  cave  of  the  field  of  Machpelah, 
which  Abraham  bought  with  the  field  for  a  possession  of 
a  buryingplace  of  Ephron  the  Hittite,  before  Mamre. 

Genesis  xlvii.  27-31  ;  1.  1-13. 

XXIII.     JOSEPH'S    LAST    DAYS. 

AND  Joseph  returned  into  Egypt,  he,  and  his  brethren, 
and  all  that  went  up  with  him  to  bury  his  father,  after 
he  had  buried  his  father. 

And  when  Joseph's  brethren  saw  that  their  father  was 
dead,  they  said,  *'  Joseph  will  peradventure  hate  us,  and 


49 

will   certainly  requite  us  all  the  evil  which  we  did   unto 
him." 

And  they  sent  a  messenger  unto  Joseph,  saying,  **  Thy 
father  did  command  before  he  died,  saying,  '  So  shall  ye 
say  unto  Joseph,  Forgive,  I  pray  thee  now,  the  trespass 
of  thy  brethren,  and  their  sin ;  for  they  did  unto  thee 
evil:  and  now,  we  pray  thee,  forgive  the  trespass  of 
the  servants  of  the  God  of  thy  father.'  "  And  Joseph 
wept  when  they  spake  unto  him. 

And  his  brethren  also  went  and  fell  down  before  his 
face;  and  they  said,  "Behold,  we  be  thy  servants."  And 
Joseph  said  unto  them,  "  Fear  not :  for  am  I  in  the  place 
of  God  ?  But  as  for  you,  ye  thought  evil  against  me ; 
but  God  meant  it  unto  good,  to  bring  to  pass,  as  it  is 
this  day,  to  save  much  people  alive.  Now  therefore  fear 
ye  not:  I  will  nourish  you,  and  your  little  ones."  And 
he  comforted  them,  and  spake  kindly  unto  them. 

And  Joseph  dwelt  in  Egypt,  he,  and  his  father's  house  : 
and  Joseph  lived  a  hundred  and  ten  years.  And  Joseph 
saw  Ephraim's  children  of  the  third  generation  :  the 
children  also  of  Machir  the  son  of  Manasseh  were  brought 
up  upon  Joseph's  knees. 

And  Joseph  said  unto  his  brethren,  "  I  die  ;  and  God  will 
surely  visit  you,  and  bring  you  out  of  this  land  unto  the 
land  which  he  sware  to  Abraham,  to  Isaac,  and  to  Jacob." 

And  Joseph  took  an  oath  of  the  children  of  Israel,  say- 
ing, ''  God  will  surely  visit  you,  and  ye  shall  carry  up  my 
bones  from  hence." 

So  Joseph  died,  being  a  hundred  and  ten  years  old  :  and 
they  embalmed  him,  and  he  was  put  in  a  coffin  in  Egypt. 

Genesis  1.  14-26. 

BIB.    READ.  — 4 


50 


XXIV.     THE   CHILDREN   OF   ISRAEL 
OPPRESSED. 

AND  the  children  of  Israel  increased  abundantly,  and 
multiplied,   and  waxed  exceeding  mighty ;    and  the 
land  was  filled  with  them. 

Now  there  arose  up  a  new  king  over  Egypt,  which 
knew  not  Joseph. 

And  he  said  unto  his  people,  ''Behold,  the  people  of  the 
children  of  Israel  are  more  and  mightier  than  we :  come 
on,  let  us  deal  wisely  with  them ;  lest  they  multiply,  and 
it  come  to  pass,  that,  when  there  falleth  out  any  war, 
they  join  also  unto  our  enemies,  and  fight  against  us,  and 
so  get  them  up  out  of  the  land." 

Therefore  they  did  set  over  them  taskmasters  to  afilict 
them  with  their  burdens.  And  they  built  for  Pharaoh 
treasure  cities,  Pithom  and  Raamses. 

But  the  more  they  afflicted  them,  the  more  they  multi- 
plied and  grew.  And  they  were  grieved  because  of  the 
children  of  Israel. 

And  the  Egyptians  made  the  children  of  Israel  to  serve 
with  rigour. 

And  they  made  their  lives  bitter  with  hard  bondage, 
in  mortar,  and  in  brick,  and  in  all  manner  of  service  in 
the  field :  all  their  service,  wherein  they  made  them  serve, 
was  with  rigour. 

And  Pharaoh  charged  all  his  people,  saying,  "  Every 
son  that  is  born  ye  shall  cast  into  the  river,  and  every 
daughter  ye  shall  save  alive." 

Exodus  i.  7-14,  22. 


51 


XXV.     MOSES. 

AND  there  went  a  man  of  the  house  of  Levi,  and  took 
to  wife  a  daughter  of  Levi.  And  the  woman  bare  a 
son  :  and  when  she  saw  him  that  he  was  a  goodly  child, 
she  hid  him  three  months. 

And  when  she  could  not  longer  hide  him,  she  took  for 
him  an  ark  of  bulrushes,  and  daubed  it  with  slime  and 
with  pitch,  and  put  the  child  therein ;  and  she  laid  it  in 
the  flags  by  the  river's  brink.  And  his  sister  stood  afar 
off,  to  wit  what  would  be  done  to  him. 

And  the  daughter  of  Pharaoh  came  down  to  wash  her- 
self at  the  river ;  and  her  maidens  walked  along  by  the 
river's  side :  and  when  she  saw  the  ark  among  the  flags, 
she  sent  her  maid  to  fetch  it.  And  when  she  had  opened 
it,  she  saw  the  child:  and,  behold,  the  babe  wept.  And 
she  had  compassion  on  him,  and  said,  "  This  is  one  of  the 
Hebrews'  children." 

Then  said  his  sister  to  Pharaoh's  daughter,  "  Shall  I  go 
and  call  to  thee  a  nurse  of  the  Hebrew  women,  that  she 
may  nurse  the  child  for  thee  ?  " 

And  Pharaoh's  daughter  said  to  her,  "  Go."  And  the 
maid  went  and  called  the  child's  mother. 

And  Pharaoh's  daughter  said  unto  her,  ''Take  this  child 
away,  and  nurse  it  for  me,  and  I  will  give  thee  thy 
wages."     And  the  woman  took  the  child,  and  nursed  it. 

And  the  child  grew,  and  she  brought  him  unto  Pha- 
raoh's daughter,  and  he  became  her  son.  And  she  called 
his  name  Moses :  and  she  said,  "  Because  I  drew  him  out 
of  the  water."  Exodus  ii.  i-io. 


52 


XXVI.      GOD'S    PROMISE   TO   THE   CHILDREN 
OF   ISRAEL. 

AND  it  came  to  pass  in  process  of  time,  that  the  king  of 
Egypt  died  :  and  the  children  of  Israel  sighed  by 
reason  of  the  bondage,  and  they  cried,  and  their  cry  came 
up  unto  God  by  reason  of  the  bondage.  And  God  heard 
their  groaning,  and  God  remembered  his  covenant  with 
Abraham,  with  Isaac,  and  with  Jacob.  And  God  looked 
upon  the  children  of  Israel,  and  God  had  respect  unto 
them. 

Now  Moses  kept  the  flock  of  Jethro  his  father  in  law, 
the  priest  of  Midian  :  and  he  led  the  flock  to  the  back  side 
of  the  desert,  and  came  to  the  mountain  of  God,  even  to 
Horeb. 

And  the  Angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  unto  him  in  a 
flame  of  fire  out  of  the  midst  of  a  bush  :  and  he  looked, 
and,  behold,  the  bush  burned  with  fire,  and  the  bush  Avas 
not  consumed.  And  Moses  said,  "  I  will  now  turn  aside, 
and  see  this  great  sight,  why  the  bush  is  not  burnt." 

And  when  the  Lord  saw  that  he  turned  aside  to  see, 
God  called  unto  him  out  of  the  midst  of  the  bush,  and  said, 
"  Moses,  Moses."     And  he  said,  "  Here  am  I." 

And  he  said,  "  Draw  not  nigh  hither  :  put  off  thy  shoes 
from  off  thy  feet ;  for  the  place  whereon  thou  standest  is 
holy  ground." 

Moreover  he  said,  ''  I  am  the  God  of  thy  father,  the 
God  of  Abraham,  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of 
Jacob."  And  Moses  hid  his  face  ;  for  he  was  afraid  to 
look  upon  God. 


53 

And  the  Lord  said,  *'  I  have  surely  seen  the  affliction  of 

my  people  which  are  in  Egypt,  and  have  heard  their  cry 

by  reason  of  their  taskmasters  ;  for  I  know  their  sorrows  ; 

and  I  am  come  down  to  deliver  them  out  of  the  hand  of 

the  Egyptians,  and  to  bring  them  up  out  of  that  land  unto 

a   good  land  and  a  large,  unto  a  land  flowing  with  milk 

and  honey." 

Exodus  ii.  23-25  ;  iii.  1-8. 


XXVII.     THE   SPIES. 

AND  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  saying,  "  Send  thou 
men,  that  they  may  search  the  land  of  Canaan,  which 
I  give  unto  the  children  of  Israel :  of  every  tribe  of  their 
fathers  shall  ye  send  a  man,  every  one  a  ruler  among 
them." 

And  Moses  by  the  commandment  of  the  Lord  sent 
them  from  the  wilderness  of  Paran  :  all  those  men  were 
heads  of  the  children  of  Israel. 

And  Moses  sent  them  to  spy  out  the  land  of  Canaan, 
and  said  unto  them,  "  Get  you  up  this  way  southward,  and 
go  up  into  the  mountain  :  and  see  the  land,  what  it  is  ; 
and  the  people  that  dwelleth  therein,  whether  they  be 
strong  or  weak,  few  or  many ;  and  what  the  land  is  that 
they  dwell  in,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad  ;  and  what  cities 
they  be  that  they  dw^ell  in,  whether  in  tents,  or  in  strong 
holds  ;  and  what  the  land  is,  whether  it  be  fat  or  lean, 
whether  there  be  wood  therein,  or  not. 

**And  be  ye  of  good  courage,  and  bring  of  the  fruit  of 
the  land." 


54 

Now  the  time  was  the  time  of  the  first  ripe  grapes. 

And  they  came  unto  the  brook  of  Eschol,  and  cut  down 
from  thence  a  branch  with  one  ckister  of  grapes,  and  they 
bare  it  between  two  upon  a  staff ;  and  they  brought  of  the 
pomegranates  and  of  the  figs.  And  they  returned  from 
searching  of  the  land  after  forty  days. 

And  they  went  and  came  to  Moses,  and  to  Aaron,  and 
to  all  the  congregation  of  the  children  of  Israel,  unto  the 
wilderness  of  Paran,  to  Kadesh ;  and  brought  back  word 
unto  them,  and  unto  all  the  congregation,  and  shewed 
them  the  fruit  of  the  land. 

And  they  told  him,  and  said,  "  We  came  unto  the  land 
whither  thou  sentest  us,  and  surely  it  floweth  with  milk 
and  honey  ;  and  this  is  the  fruit  of  it.  Nevertheless  the 
people  be  strong  that  dwell  in  the  land,  and  the  cities  are 
walled,  and  very  great :  and  moreover  we  saw  the  children 
of  Anak  there." 

And  Caleb  stilled  the  people  before  Moses,  and  said, 
"  Let  us  go  up  at  once,  and  possess  it ;  for  we  are  well  able 
to  overcome  it."  But  the  men  that  went  up  with  him 
said,  ''  We  be  not  able  to  go  up  against  the  people ;  for 
they  are  stronger  than  we." 

And  they  brought  up  an  evil  report  of  the  land  which 
they  had  searched  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  saying, 
'*  The  land,  through  which  we  have  gone  to  search  it,  is  a 
land  that  eateth  up  the  inhabitants  thereof ;  and  all  the 
people  that  we  saw  in  it  are  men  of  a  great  stature.  And 
there  we  saw  the  giants,  the  sons  of  Anak,  which  come  of 
the  giants  :  and  we  were  in  our  own  sight  as  grasshoppers, 
and  so  we  were  in  their  sight." 

Numbers  xiii.  1-3,  17-20,  23,  25-28,  30-33. 


55 


XXVIII.     JOSHUA'S   COURAGE. 

AND  all  the  congregation  lifted  up  their  voice,  and 
cried  ;  and  the  people  wept  that  night.  And  all  the 
children  of  Israel  murmured  against  Moses  and  against 
Aaron :  and  the  whole  congregation  said  unto  them, 
"  Would  God  that  we  had  died  in  the  land  of  Egypt !  or 
would  God  we  had  died  in  this  wilderness  !  And  where- 
fore hath  the  Lord  brought  us  unto  this  land,  to  fall 
by  the  sword,  that  our  wives  and  our  children  should  be 
a  prey  .^  were  it  not  better  for  us  to  return  into  Egypt  .^  " 
And  they  said  one  to  another,  "  Let  us  make  a  captain, 
and  let  us  return  into  Egypt." 

Then  Moses  and  Aaron  fell  on  their  faces  before  all 
the  assembly  of  the  congregation  of  the  children  of  Israel. 

And  Joshua  the  son  of  Nun,  and  Caleb  the  son  of 
Jephunneh,  which  were  of  them  that  searched  the  land, 
rent  their  clothes  :  and  they  spake  unto  all  the  company 
of  the  children  of  Israel,  saying,  "  The  land,  which  we 
passed  through  to  search  it,  is  an  exceeding  good  land. 
If  the  Lord  delight  in  us,  then  he  will  bring  us  into  this 
land,  and  give  it  us ;  a  land  which  floweth  with  milk  and 
honey.  Only  rebel  not  ye  against  the  Lord,  neither  fear 
ye  the  people  of  the  land ;  for  they  are  bread  for  us  : 
their  defence  is  departed  from  them,  and  the  Lord  is  with 
us  :  fear  them  not." 

But  all  the  congregation  bade  stone  them  with  stones. 
And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  appeared  in  the  tabernacle  of 
the  congregation  before  all  the  children  of  Israel. 

Numbers  xiv.  i-io. 


56 


XXIX.     MOSES    PRAYS    FOR  THE    PEOPLE. 

AND  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  "  How  long  will  this 
people  provoke  me  ?  and  how  long  will  it  be  ere 
they  believe  me,  for  all  the  signs  which  I  have  shewed 
among  them  ?  I  will  smite  them  with  the  pestilence,  and 
disinherit  them,  and  will  make  of  thee  a  greater  nation 
and  mightier  than   they." 

And  Moses  said  unto  the  Lord,  "  Then  the  Egyptians 
shall  hear  it,  (for  thou  broughtest  up  this  people  in  thy 
might  from  among  them ;)  and  they  will  tell  it  to  the 
inhabitants  of  this  land  :  for  they  have  heard  that  thou 
Lord  art  among  this  people,  that  thou  Lord  art  seen  face 
to  face,  and  that  thy  cloud  standeth  over  them,  and  that 
thou  goest  before  them,  by  daytime  in  a  pillar  of  a  cloud, 
and  in  a  pillar  of  fire  by  night. 

"  Now  if  thou  shalt  kill  all  this  people  as  one  man,  then 
the  nations  which  have  heard  the  fame  of  thee  will  speak, 
saying,  *  Because  the  Lord  was  not  able  to  bring  this 
people  into  the  land  which  he  sware  unto  them,  therefore 
he  hath  slain  them  in  the  wilderness.' 

*'  And  now,  I  beseech  thee,  let  the  power  of  my  Lord 
be  great,  according  as  thou  hast  spoken,  saying,  '  The 
Lord  is  longsuffering,  and  of  great  mercy,  forgiving  in- 
iquity and  transgression,  and  by  no  means  clearing  the 
guilty,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  chil- 
dren unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation.'  Pardon,  I 
beseech  thee,  the  iniquity  of  this  people  according  unto 
the  greatness  of  thy  mercy,  and  as  thou  hast  forgiven  this 
people,  from  Egypt  even  until  now." 


57 

And  the  Lord  said,  "  I  have  pardoned  according  to  thy 
word :  but  as  truly  as  I  live,  all  the  earth  shall  be  filled 
with  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  Because  all  those  men 
which  have  seen  my  glory,  and  my  miracles,  which  I  did 
in  Egypt  and  in  the  wilderness,  and  have  tempted  me 
now  these  ten  times,  and  have  not  hearkened  to  my  voice ; 
surely  they  shall  not  see  the  land  which  I  sware  unto 
their  fathers,  neither  shall  any  of  them  that  provoked  me 
see  it :  but  my  servant  Caleb,  because  he  had  another 
spirit  with  him,  and  hath  followed  me  fully,  him  will  I 
bring  into  the  land  whereinto  he  went ;  and  his  seed  shall 
possess  it.  Numbers  xiv.  1 1-24. 

XXX.    THE   STORY   OF   THE   TREES. 

AND  Abimelech  the  son  of  Jerubbaal  went  to  Shechem 
unto  his  mother's  brethren,  and  communed  with 
them,  and  with  all  the  family  of  the  house  of  his  mother's 
father,  saying, 

"  Speak,  I  pray  you,  in  the  ears  of  all  the  men  of  She- 
chem, 'Whether  is  better  for  you,  either  that  all  the  sons 
of  Jerubbaal,  which  are  threescore  and  ten  persons,  reign 
over  you,  or  that  one  reign  over  you  ?  Remember  also 
that  I  am  your  bone  and  your  flesh.'  " 

And  his  mother's  brethren  spake  of  him  in  the  ears  of  all 
the  men  of  Shechem  all  these  words :  and  their  hearts  in- 
clined to  follow  Abimelech ;  for  they  said,  '*  He  is  our 
brother."  And  they  gave  him  threescore  and  ten  pieces 
of  silver  out  of  the  house  of  Baal-berith,  wherewith  Abime- 
lech hired  vain  and  light  persons,  which  followed  him. 


58 

And  he  went  unto  his  father's  house  at  Ophrah,  and 
slew  his  brethren  the  sons  of  Jerubbaal,  being  threescore 
and  ten  persons,  upon  one  stone :  notwithstanding,  yet 
Jotham  the  youngest  son  of  Jerubbaal  was  left;  for  he 
hid  himself. 

And  all  the  men  of  Shechem  gathered  together,  and  all 
the  house  of  Millo,  and  went  and  made  Abimelech  king, 
by  the  plain  of  the  pillar  that  was  in  Shechem. 

And  when  they  told  it  to  Jotham,  he  went  and  stood  in 
the  top  of  mount  Gerizim,  and  lifted  up  his  voice,  and 
cried,  and  said  unto  them,  "  Hearken  unto  me,  ye  men  of 
Shechem,  that  God  may  hearken  unto  you. 

*'  The  trees  went  forth  on  a  time  to  anoint  a  king  over 
them ;  and  they  said  unto  the  olive  tree,  '  Reign  thou  over 
us.' 

"  But  the  olive  tree  said  unto  them,  '  Should  I  leave 
my  fatness,  wherewith  by  me  they  honour  God  and  man, 
and  go  to  be  promoted  over  the  trees  ? '  And  the  trees 
said  to  the  fig  tree,  'Come  thou,  and  reign  over  us.'  But 
the  fig  tree  said  unto  them,  *  Should  I  forsake  my  sweet- 
ness, and  my  good  fruit,  and  go  to  be  promoted  over  the 
trees  ? '  Then  said  the  trees  unto  the  vine,  '  Come  thou, 
and  reign  over  us.'  And  the  vine  said  unto  them,  '  Should 
I  leave  my  wine,  which  cheereth  God  and  man,  and  go 
to  be  promoted  over  the  trees  ? '  Then  said  all  the  trees 
unto  the  bramble,  *  Come  thou,  and  reign  over  us.'  And 
the  bramble  said  unto  the  trees,  *  If  in  truth  ye  anoint 
me  king  over  you,  then  come  and  put  your  trust  in  my 
shadow ;  and  if  not,  let  fire  come  out  of  the  bramble,  and 
devour  the  cedars  of  Lebanon.'  " 

Judges  ix.  1-15. 


59 


XXXI.     SAMUEL   CALLED. 

AND  the  child  Samuel  ministered  unto  the  Lord  before 
Eli.  And  the  word  of  the  Lord  was  precious  in 
those  days ;  there  was  no  open  vision. 

And  it  came  to  pass  at  that  time,  when  Eli  was  laid 
down  in  his  place,  and  his  eyes  began  to  wax  dim,  that 
he  could  not  see ;  and  ere  the  lamp  of  God  went  out  in 
the  temple  of  the  Lord,  where  the  ark  of  God  was,  and 
Samuel  was  laid  down  to  sleep ;  that  the  Lord  called 
Samuel :  and  he  answered,  '*  Here  am  L" 

And  he  ran  unto  Eli,  and  said,  "  Here  am  I ;  for  thou 
calledst  me."  And  he  said,  ''I  called  not;  lie  down 
again."     And  he  went  and  lay  down. 

And  the  Lord  called  yet  again,  ''Samuel."  And  Sam- 
uel arose  and  went  to  Eli,  and  said,  ''  Here  am  I  ;  for  thou 
didst  call  me."  And  he  answered,  **  I  called  not,  my  son ; 
lie  down  again." 

Now  Samuel  did  not  yet  know  the  Lord,  neither  was 
the  word  of  the  Lord  yet  revealed  unto  him.  And  the 
Lord  called  Samuel  again  the  third  time.  And  he  arose 
and  went  to  Eli,  and  said,  "  Here  am  I ;  for  thou  didst 
call  me."  And  Eli  perceived  that  the  Lord  had  called 
the  child.  Therefore  Eh  said  unto  Samuel,  "  Go,  He 
down :  and  it  shall  be,  if  he  call  thee,  that  thou  shalt 
say,  'Speak,  Lord;  for  thy  servant  heareth.' "  So  Sam- 
uel went  and  lay  down  in  his  place. 

And  the  Lord  came,  and  stood,  and  called  as  at 
other  times,  "Samuel,  Samuel."  Then  Samuel  answered, 
"  Speak  ;  for  thy  servant  heareth." 


6o 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Samuel,  "  Behold,  I  will  do  a 
thing  in  Israel,  at  which  both  the  ears  of  every  one  that 
heareth  it  shall  tingle.  In  that  day  I  will  perform  against 
Eli  all  things  which  I  have  spoken  concerning  his  house : 
when  I  begin,  I  will  also  make  an  end.  For  I  have  told 
him  that  I  will  judge  his  house  for  ever  for  the  iniquity 
which  he  knoweth ;  because  his  sons  did  bring  a  curse 
upon  themselves,  and  he  restrained  them  not.  And  there- 
fore I  have  sworn  unto  the  house  of  Eli,  that  the  iniquity 
of  Eli's  house  shall  not  be  purged  with  sacrifice  nor  offer- 
ing for  ever." 

And  Samuel  lay  until  the  morning,  and  opened  the 
doors  of  the  house  of  the  Lord.  And  Samuel  feared  to 
shew  Eli  the  vision. 

Then  Eli  called  Samuel,  and  said,  **  Samuel,  my  son." 
And  he  answered,  "  Here  am  I." 

And  he  said,  ''What  is  the  thing  that  the  Lord  hath 
said  unto  thee .''  I  pray  thee  hide  it  not  from  me  :  God 
do  so  to  thee,  and  more  also,  if  thou  hide  anything  from 
me  of  all  the  things  that  he  said  unto  thee." 

And  Samuel  told  him  every  whit,  and  hid  nothing  from 
him.  And  he  said,  "  It  is  the  Lord  :  let  him  do  what 
seemeth  him  good."  And  Samuel  grew,  and  the  Lord 
was  with  him.  J  S^^^^l  j.j  ^_^^ 

XXXII.     THE   STORY   OF   RUTH. 

NOW  it  came  to  pass  in  the  days  when  the  judges 
ruled,  that  there  was  a  famine  in  the  land.     And  a 
certain  man  of  Beth-lehem-judah  went  to  sojourn  in  the 


6i 


country  of  Moab,  he,  and  his  wife,  and  his  two  sons.  And 
the  name  of  the  man  was  EUmelech,  and  the  name  of  his 
wife  Naomi,  and  the  name  of  his  two  sons  Mahlon  and 
Chilion.  And  they  came  into  the  country  of  Moab,  and 
continued  there. 

And  Elimelech  Naomi's  husband  died ;  and  she  was 
left,  and  her  two  sons.  And  they  took  them  wives  of  the 
women  of  Moab  ;  the  name  of  the  one  was  Orpah,  and 
the  name  of  the  other  Ruth :  and  they  dwelt  there  about 
ten  years. 

And  Mahlon  and  Chilion  died  also  both  of  them ;  and 
the  woman  was  left  of  her  two  sons  and  her  husband. 

Then  she  arose  with  her  daughters  in  law,  that  she 
might  return  from  the  country  of  Moab :  for  she  had 
heard  in  the  country  of  Moab  how  that  the  Lord  had 
visited  his  people  in  giving  them  bread.  Wherefore 
she  went  forth  out  of  the  place  where  she  was,  and  her 
two  daughters  in  law  with  her ;  and  they  went  on  the 
way  to  return  unto  the  land  of  Judah. 

And  Naomi  said  unto  her  two  daughters  in  law,  ''  Go, 
return  each  to  her  mother's  house :  the  Lord  deal  kindly 
with  you,  as  ye  have  dealt  with  the  dead,  and  with  me. 
The  Lord  grant  you  that  ye  may  find  rest,  each  of  you 
in  the  house  of  her  husband."  Then  she  kissed  them  ; 
and  they  lifted  up  their  voice,  and  wept. 

And  they  said  unto  her,  "  Surely  we  will  return  with 
thee  unto  thy  people." 

And  Naomi  said,  "  Turn  again,  my  daughters :  why  will 
ye  go  with  me  ?  " 

And  Orpah  kissed  her  mother  in  law ;  but  Ruth  clave 
unto  her. 


62 


And  she  said,  **  Behold,  thy  sister  in  law  is  gone  back 
unto  her  people,  and  unto  her  gods :  return  thou  after  thy 
sister  in  law." 

And  Ruth  said,  "  Entreat  me  not  to  leave  thee,  or  to 
return  from  following  after  thee :  for  whither  thou  goest, 
I  will  go ;  and  where  thou  lodgest,  I  will  lodge  :  thy  peo- 
ple shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my  God :  where  thou 
diest,  will  I  die,  and  there  will  I  be  buried  :  the  Lord  do 
so  to  me,  and  more  also,  if  aught  but  death  part  thee  and 
me." 

When  she  saw  that  she  was  steadfastly  minded  to  go 
with  her,  then  she  left  speaking  unto  her. 

Ruth  i.  i-ii,  14-18. 


3j<Kc 


XXXIII.     THE  STORY  OF  RUTH,  CONTINUED. 

SO  Naomi  returned,  and  Ruth  the  Moabitess,  her  daugh- 
ter in  law,  with  her,  which  returned  out  of  the  coun- 
try of  Moab. 

And  they  came  to  Bethdehem  in  the  beginning  of  barley 
harvest. 

And  Naomi  had  a  kinsman  of  her  husband's,  a  mighty 
man  of  wealth,  of  the  family  of  Elimelech ;  and  his 
name  was  Boaz. 

And  Ruth  the  Moabitess  said  unto  Naomi,  "  Let  me 
now  go  to  the  field,  and  glean  ears  of  corn  after  him  in 
whose  sight  I  shall  find  grace."  And  she  said  unto  her, 
"  Go,  my  daughter." 

And  she  went,  and  came,  and  gleaned  in  the  field  after 


63 

the  reapers:  and  her  hap  was  to  light  on  a  part  of  the 
field  belonging  unto  Boaz,  who  was  of  the  kindred  of 
Elimelech. 

And,  behold,  Boaz  came  from  Beth-lehem,  and  said  unto 
the  reapers,  "The  Lord  be  with  you."  And  they  answered 
him,  *'  The  Lord  bless  thee." 

Then  said  Boaz  unto  his  servant  that  was  set  over  the 
reapers,  "  Whose  damsel  is  this  ?  " 

And  the  servant  that  was  set  over  the  reapers  answered 
and  said,  "  It  is  the  Moabitish  damsel  that  came  back  with 
Naomi  out  of  the  country  of  Moab :  and  she  said,  '  I  pray 
you,  let  me  glean  and  gather  after  the  reapers  among  the 
sheaves.' 

*'  So  she  came,  and  hath  continued  even  from  the  morn- 
ing until  now,  that  she  tarried  a  little  in  the  house." 

Then  said  Boaz  unto  Ruth,  "  Hearest  thou  not,  my 
daughter  ?  Go  not  to  glean  in  another  field,  neither  go 
from  hence,  but  abide  here  fast  by  my  maidens." 

Then  she  fell  on  her  face,  and  bowed  herself  to  the 
ground,  and  said  unto  him,  ''  Why  have  I  found  grace  in 
thine  eyes,  that  thou  shouldest  take  knowledge  of  me, 
seeing  I  am  a  stranger  ?  " 

And  Boaz  answered  and  said  unto  her,  *'  It  hath  fully 
been  shewed  me,  all  that  thou  hast  done  unto  thy  mother 
in  law  since  the  death  of  thine  husband ;  and  how  thou 
hast  left  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  and  the  land  of  thy 
nativity,  and  art  come  unto  a  people  which  thou  knewest 
not  heretofore. 

"  The  Lord  recompense  thy  work,  and  a  full  reward 
be  given  thee  of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  under  whose 
wings  thou  art  come  to  trust."  Ruth  i.  22;  ii.  1-8. 


64 


XXXIV.     DAVID    AND    GOLIATH. 

NOW  the  Philistines  gathered  together  their  armies 
to  battle,  and  were  gathered  together  at  Shochoh, 
which  belongeth  to  Judah,  and  pitched  between  Shochoh 
and  Azekah.  And  Saul  and  the  men  of  Israel  were  gath- 
ered together,  and  pitched  by  the  valley  of  Elah,  and  set 
the  battle  in  array  against  the  Philistines.  And  the  Phihs- 
tines  stood  on  a  mountain  on  the  one  side,  and  Israel  stood 
on  a  mountain  on  the  other  side :  and  there  was  a  valley 
between  them. 

And  there  went  out  a  champion  out  of  the  camp  of  the 
Philistines,  named  Goliath,  of  Gath,  whose  height  was  six 
cubits  and  a  span.  And  he  had  a  helmet  of  brass  upon 
his  head,  and  he  was  armed  with  a  coat  of  mail ;  and  the 
weight  of  the  coat  was  five  thousand  shekels  of  brass. 
And  he  had  greaves  of  brass  upon  his  legs,  and  a  target 
of  brass  between  his  shoulders.  And  the  staff  of  his 
spear  was  like  a  weaver's  beam ;  and  his  spear's  head 
weighed  six  hundred  shekels  of  iron :  and  one  bearing  a 
shield  went  before  him. 

And  he  stood  and  cried  unto  the  armies  of  Israel,  and 
said  unto  them,  "  Why  are  ye  come  out  to  set  your  battle 
in  array  .'*  am  not  I  a  Philistine,  and  ye  servants  to  Saul  ? 
choose  you  a  man  for  you,  and  let  him  come  down  to  me. 
If  he  be  able  to  fight  with  me,  and  to  kill  me,  then  will 
we  be  your  servants :  but  if  I  prevail  against  him,  and  kill 
him,  then  shall  ye  be  our  servants,  and  serve  us." 

And  the  Philistine  said,  ''  I  defy  the  armies  of  Israel 
this  day;  give  me  a  man,  that  we  may  fight  together." 


65 

When  Saul  and  all  Israel  heard  those  words  of  the 
Philistine,  they  were  dismayed,  and  greatly  afraid. 

And  David  said  to  Saul,  *'  Let  no  man's  heart  fail  be- 
cause of  him  ;  thy  servant  will  go  and  fight  with  this 
Philistine." 

And  Saul  said  to  David,  "Thou  art  not  able  to  go 
against  this  Philistine  to  fight  with  him  :  for  thou  art  but 
a  youth,  and  he  a  man  of  war  from  his  youth."  And 
David  said  unto  Saul,  '*  Thy  servant  kept  his  father's 
sheep,  and  there  came  a  lion,  and  a  bear,  and  took  a  lamb 
out  of  the  flock  :  and  I  went  out  after  him,  and  smote 
him,  and  delivered  it  out  of  his  mouth  :  and  when  he 
arose  against  me,  I  caught  him  by  his  beard,  and  smote 
him,  and  slew  him.  Thy  servant  slew  both  the  lion  and 
the  bear:  and  this  uncircumcised  Philistine  shall  be  as  one 
of  them,  seeing  he  hath  defied  the  armies  of  the  living 
God." 

David  said  moreover,  "  The  Lord  that  delivered  me  out 
of  the  paw  of  the  lion,  and  out  of  the  paw  of  the  bear,  he 
will  deliver  me  out  of  the  hand  of  this  Philistine." 

And  Saul  said  unto  David,  "  Go,  and  the  Lord  be  with 

thee." 

I  Samuel  xvii.  i-ii,  32-37. 

XXXV.     GOLIATH    SLAIN. 

AND  Saul  armed  David  with  his  armour,  and  he  put  a 
helmet  of  brass  upon  his  head  ;  also  he  armed  him 
with  a  coat  of  mail.  And  David  girded  his  sword  upon 
his  armour,  and  he  assayed  to  go  ;  for  he  had  not  proved 
it.     And  David  said  unto  Saul,  "  I  cannot  go  with  these ; 

BIB.    READ.  —  5 


66 


for  I  have  not  proved  them."     And  David  put  them  off 
him. 

And  he  took  his  staff  in  his  hand,  and  chose  him  five 
smooth  stones  out  of  the  brook,  and  put  them  in  a  shep- 
herd's bag  which  he  had,  even  in  a  scrip  ;  and  his  sling 
was  in  his  hand:  and  he  drew  near  to  the  PhiHstine. 

And  the  Philistine  came  on  and  drew  near  unto  David; 
and  the  man  that  bare  the  shield  went  before  him.  And 
when  the  Philistine  looked  about,  and  saw  David,  he  dis- 
dained him  :  for  he  was  but  a  youth,  and  ruddy,  and  of 
a  fair  countenance. 

And  the  Philistine  said  unto  David,  "  Am  I  a  dog,  that 
thou  comest  to  me  with  staves  ? "  And  the  Philistine 
cursed  David  by  his  gods. 

And  the  Philistine  said  to  David,  *'Come  to  me,  and 
I  will  give  thy  flesh  unto  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  to  the 
beasts  of  the  field." 

Then  said  David  to  the  Philistine,  "  Thou  comest  to  me 
with  a  sword,  and  with  a  spear,  and  with  a  shield  :  but 
I  come  to  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  the  God 
of  the  armies  of  Israel,  whom  thou  hast  defied. 

"  This  day  will  the  Lord  deliver  thee  into  mine  hand ; 
and  I  will  smite  thee,  and  take  thine  head  from  thee  ;  and 
I  will  give  the  carcasses  of  the  host  of  the  Philistines  this 
day  unto  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  to  the  wild  beasts  of 
the  earth  ;  that  all  the  earth  may  know  that  there  is  a 
God  in  Israel. 

**  And  all  this  assembly  shall  know  that  the  Lord  saveth 
not  with  sword  and  spear:  for  the  battle  is  the  Lord's, 
and  he  will  give  you  into  our  hands." 

And  it  came  to  pass,   when  the  Philistine  arose,   and 


6; 

came  and   drew  nigh   to  meet   David,  that  David  hasted, 
and  ran  toward  the  army  to  meet  the  PhiUstine. 

And  David  put  his  hand  in  his  bag,  and  took  thence  a 
stone,  and  slang  it,  and  smote  the  PhiUstine  in  his  fore- 
head, that  the  stone  sunk  into  his  forehead ;  and  he  fell 
upon  his  face  to  the  earth. 

So  David  prevailed  over  the  Philistine  with  a  sling  and 
with  a  stone,  and  smote  the  Philistine,  and  slew  him ;  but 
there  was  no  sword  in  the  hand  of  David. 

Therefore  David  ran,  and  stood  upon  the  Philistine,  and 
took  his  sword,  and  drew  it  out  of  the  sheath  thereof,  and 
slew  him,  and  cut  off  his  head  therewith.  And  when  the 
Philistines  saw  their  champion  was  dead,  they  fled. 

I  Samuel  xvii.  38-51. 

XXXVI.     DAVID   AND  JONATHAN. 

AND  David  fled  from  Naioth  in  Ramah,  and  came  and 
said  before  Jonathan,  *'  What  have  I  done  ?  what 
is  mine  iniquity  ?  and  what  is  my  sin  before  thy  father, 
that  he  seeketh  my  life  ? " 

And  he  said  unto  him,  "  God  forbid  ;  thou  shalt  not  die  : 
behold,  my  father  will  do  nothing  either  great  or  small, 
but  that  he  will  shew  it  me  :  and  why  should  my  father 
hide  this  thing  from  me  .-*  it  is  not  so." 

And  David  sware  moreover,  and  said,  "  Thy  father 
certainly  knoweth  that  I  have  found  grace  in  thine  eyes ; 
and  he  saith,  'Let  not  Jonathan  know  this,  lest  he  be 
grieved:'  but  truly,  as  the  Lord  liveth,  and  as  thy  soul 
liveth,  there  is  but  a  step  between  me  and  death." 


68 

Then  said  Jonathan  unto  David,  "  Whatsoever  thy  soul 
desireth,  I  will  even  do  it  for  thee." 

And  David  saith  unto  Jonathan,  *'  Behold,  to-morrow  is 
the  new  moon,  and  I  should  not  fail  to  sit  with  the  king  at 
meat :  but  let  me  go,  that  I  may  hide  myself  in  the  field 
unto  the  third  day  at  even.  If  thy  father  at  all  miss 
me,  then  say,  '  David  earnestly  asked  leave  of  me  that 
he  might  run  to  Beth-lehem  his  city :  for  there  is  a 
yearly  sacrifice  there  for  all  the  family.'  If  he  say 
thus,  '  It  is  well ; '  thy  servant  shall  have  peace :  but  if 
he  be  very  wroth,  then  be  sure  that  evil  is  determined 
by  him. 

"  Therefore  thou  shalt  deal  kindly  with  thy  servant ;  for 
thou  hast  brought  thy  servant  into  a  covenant  of  the 
Lord  with  thee :  notwithstanding,  if  there  be  in  me  iniq- 
uity, slay  me  thyself;  for  why  shouldest  thou  bring  me 
to  thy  father.?" 

And  Jonathan  said,  "  Far  be  it  from  thee :  for  if  I  knew 

certainly  that  evil  were  determined  by  my  father  to  come 

upon  thee,  then  would  not  I   tell  it  thee  ? "     Then  said 

David  to  Jonathan,  **  Who  shall  tell  me  ?  or  what  if  thy 

father  answer  thee  roughly .?  " 

I  Samuel  xx.  i-io. 

XXXVII.     JONATHAN'S    FRIENDSHIP. 

AND  Jonathan  said  unto  David,  "  Come,  and  let  us  go 
out  into  the  field."     And   they  went  out   both   of 
them  into  the  field. 

And  Jonathan  said  unto  David,  "  O  Lord  God  of  Israel, 


69 

when  I  have  sounded  my  father  about  to-morrow  any  time, 
or  the  third  day,  and,  behold,  if  there  be  good  toward 
David,  and  I  then  send  not  unto  thee,  and  shew  it  thee ; 
the  Lord  do  so  and  much  more  to  Jonathan:  but  if  it 
please  my  father  to  do  thee  evil,  then  I  will  shew  it 
thee,  and  send  thee  away,  that  thou  mayest  go  in  peace  : 
and  the  Lord  be  with  thee,  as  he  hath  been  with  my 
father.  And  thou  shalt  not  only  while  yet  I  live  shew 
me  the  kindness  of  the  Lord,  that  I  die  not :  but  also 
thou  shalt  not  cut  off  thy  kindness  from  my  house  for 
ever :  no,  not  when  the  Lord  hath  cut  off  the  enemies  of 
David  every  one  from  the  face  of  the  earth." 

So  Jonathan  made  a  covenant  with  the  house  of  David, 
saying,  "  Let  the  Lord  even  require  it  at  the  hand  of 
David's  enemies."  And  Jonathan  caused  David  to  swear 
again,  because  he  loved  him :  for  he  loved  him  as  he  loved 
his  own  soul.  Then  Jonathan  said  to  David,  "  To-morrow 
is  the  new  moon  :  and  thou  shalt  be  missed,  because  thy 
seat  will  be  empty.  And  when  thou  hast  stayed  three 
days,  then  thou  shalt  go  down  quickly,  and  come  to  the 
place  where  thou  didst  hide  thyself  when  the  business 
was  in  hand,  and  shalt  remain  by  the  stone  Ezel.  And  I 
will  shoot  three  arrows  on  the  side  thereof,  as  though  I 
shot  at  a  mark. 

"  And,  behold,  I  will  send  a  lad,  saying,  '  Go,  find  out  the 
arrows.'  If  I  expressly  say  unto  the  lad,  '  Behold,  the 
arrows  are  on  this  side  of  thee,  take  them ; '  then  come 
thou :  for  there  is  peace  to  thee,  and  no  hurt ;  as  the 
Lord  liveth.  But  if  I  say  thus  unto  the  young  man, 
'  Behold,  the  arrows  are  beyond  thee ; '  go  thy  way :  for 
the  Lord  hath  sent  thee  away. 


70 

"And  as  touching  the  matter  which  thou  and  I  have 
spoken  of,  behold,  the  Lord  be  between  thee  and  me  for 
ever."  i  Samuel  xx.  11-23. 

XXXVIII.     SAUL'S   ANGER. 

SO  David  hid  himself  in  the  field ;  and  when  the  new 
moon  was  come,  the  king  sat  him  down  to  eat  meat. 
And  the  king  sat  upon  his  seat,  as  at  other  times,  even 
upon  a  seat  by  the  wall :  and  Jonathan  arose,  and  Abner 
sat  by  Saul's  side,  and  David's  place  was  empty. 

Nevertheless  Saul  spake  not  any  thing  that  day :  for  he 
thought,  "  Something  hath  befallen  him,  he  is  not  clean ; 
surely  he  is  not  clean." 

And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  morrow,  which  was  the  sec- 
ond day  of  the  month,  that  David's  place  was  empty  :  and 
Saul  said  unto  Jonathan  his  son,  ''  Wherefore  cometh  not 
the  son  of  Jesse  to  meat,  neither  yesterday,  nor  to-day  ? " 
And  Jonathan  answered  Saul,  ''  David  earnestly  asked 
leave  of  me  to  go  to  Beth-lehem  :  and  he  said,  '  Let  me 
go,  I  pray  thee ;  for  our  family  hath  a  sacrifice  in  the  city; 
and  my  brother,  he  hath  commanded  me  to  be  there :  and 
now,  if  I  have  found  favour  in  thine  eyes,  let  me  get  away, 
I  pray  thee,  and  see  my  brethren.'  Therefore  he  cometh 
not  unto  the  king's  table." 

Then  Saul's  anger  was  kindled  against  Jonathan,  and 
he  said  unto  him,  "Thou  son  of  the  perverse  rebellious 
woman,  do  not  I  know  that  thou  hast  chosen  the  son  of 
JeF:)3  to  thine  own  confusion.''  For  as  long  as  the  son  of 
Jesse  liveth  upon  the  ground,  thou  shalt  not  be  established, 


71 

nor  thy  kingdom.  Wherefore  now  send  and  fetch  him 
unto  me,  for  he  shall  surely  die." 

And  Jonathan  answered  Saul  his  father,  and  said  unto 
him,  ''  Wherefore  shall  he  be  slain  ?  what  hath  he  done .''  " 

And  Saul  cast  a  javelin  at  him  to  smite  him :  whereby 
Jonathan  knew  that  it  was  determined  of  his  father  to  slay 
David. 

So  Jonathan  arose  from  the  table  in  fierce  anger,  and 
did  eat  no  meat  the  second  day  of  the  month  :  for  he  was 
grieved  for  David,  because  his  father  had  done  him  shame. 

I  Samuel  xx.  24-34. 


XXXIX.     JONATHAN    RESCUES    DAVID. 

AND  it  came  to  pass  in  the  morning,  that  Jonathan 
went  out  into  the  field  at  the  time  appointed  with 
David,  and  a  little  lad  with  him. 

And  he  said  unto  his  lad,  "  Run,  find  out  now  the  arrows 
which  I  shoot."  And  as  the  lad  ran,  he  shot  an  arrow 
beyond  him. 

And  when  the  lad  was  come  to  the  place  of  the  arrow 
which  Jonathan  had  shot,  Jonathan  cried  after  the  lad, 
and  said,  "  Is  not  the  arrow  beyond  thee  ?  "  And  Jonathan 
cried  after  the  lad,  "  Make  speed,  haste,  stay  not."  And 
Jonathan's  lad  gathered  up  the  arrows,  and  came  to  his 
master.  But  the  lad  knew  not  any  thing :  only  Jonathan 
and  David  knew  the  matter. 

And  Jonathan  gave  his  weapons  unto  his  lad,  and  said 
unto  him,  "  Go,  carry  them  to  the  city." 


72 

And  as  soon  as  the  lad  was  gone,  David  arose  out  of  a 
place  toward  the  south,  and  fell  on  his  face  to  the  ground, 
and  bowed  himself  three  times :  and  they  kissed  one  an- 
other, and  wept  one  with  another,  until  David  exceeded. 

And  Jonathan  said  to  David,  **  Go  in  peace,  forasmuch 
as  we  have  sworn  both  of  us  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
saying,  *  The  Lord  be  between  me  and  thee,  and  between 
my  seed  and  thy  seed  for  ever.'  "  And  he  arose  and  de- 
parted :  and  Jonathan  went  into  the  city. 

I  Samuel  xx.  35-42. 

XL.     ABSALOM'S  REBELLION. 

AND  it  came  to  pass  after  this,  that  Absalom  pre- 
pared him  chariots  and  horses,  and  fifty  men  to 
run  before  him.  And  Absalom  rose  up  early,  and  stood 
beside  the  way  of  the  gate :  and  it  was  so,  that  when 
any  man  that  had  a  controversy  came  to  the  king  for 
judgment,  then  Absalom  called  unto  him,  and  said,  ''  Of 
what  city  art  thou.''"  And  he  said,  "Thy  servant  is  of 
one  of  the  tribes  of  Israel." 

And  Absalom  said  unto  him,  "  See,  thy  matters  are 
good  and  right ;  but  there  is  no  man  deputed  of  the  king 
to  hear  thee."  Absalom  said  moreover,  ''Oh  that  I  were 
made  judge  in  the  land,  that  every  man  which  hath  any  suit 
or  cause  might  come  unto  me,  and  I  would  do  him  justice  !  " 

And  it  was  so,  that  when  any  man  came  nigh  to  him  to 
do  him  obeisance,  he  put  forth  his  hand,  and  took  him, 
and  kissed  him.  And  on  this  manner  did  Absalom  to  all 
Israel  that  came  to  the  king  for  judgment:  so  Absalom 
stole  the  hearts  of  the  men  of  Israel. 


73 

And  it  came  to  pass  after  forty  years,  that  Absalom  said 
unto  the  king,  ''  I  pray  thee,  let  me  go  and  pay  my  vow, 
which  I  have  vowed  unto  the  Lord,  in  Hebron.  For  thy 
servant  vowed  a  vow  while  I  abode  at  Geshur  in  Syria, 
saying,  *If  the  Lord  shall  bring  me  again  indeed  to  Jeru- 
salem, then  I  will  serve  the  Loud.'  " 

And  the  king  said  unto  him,  "  Go  in  peace."  So  he 
arose,  and  went  to  Hebron. 

But  Absalom  sent  spies  throughout  all  the  tribes  of 
Israel,  saying,  '*  As  soon  as  ye  hear  the  sound  of  the  trum- 
pet, then  ye  shall  say,  *  Absalom  reigneth  in  Hebron.'  " 
And  with  Absalom  went  two  hundred  men  out  of  Jerusa- 
lem, that  were  called ;  and  they  went  in  their  simplicity, 
and  they  knew  not  any  thing. 

And  Absalom  sent  for  Ahithophel  the  Gilonite,  David's 
counsellor,  from  his  city,  even  from  Giloh,  while  he  offered 
sacrifices.  And  the  conspiracy  was  strong;  for  the  people 
increased  continually  with  Absalom. 

And  there  came  a  messenger  to  David,  saying,  "The 
hearts  of  the  men  of  Israel  are  after  Absalom."  And 
David  said  unto  all  his  servants  that  were  with  him  at 
Jerusalem,  ''Arise,  and  let  us  flee;  for  we  shall  not  else 
escape  from  Absalom :  make  speed  to  depart,  lest  he  over- 
take us  suddenly,  and  bring  evil  upon  us,  and  smite  the 
city  with  the  edge  of  the  sword." 

And  the  king's  servants  said  unto  the  king,  "  Behold, 
thy  servants  are  ready  to  do  whatsoever  my  lord  the  king 
shall  appoint." 

And  the  king  went  forth,  and  all  his  household  after 
him. 

2  Samuel  xv.  1-16. 


74 


XLI.     ABSALOM    SLAIN. 

AND  David  numbered  the  people  that  were  with  him, 
and  set  captains  of  thousands  and  captains  of  hun- 
dreds over  them. 

And  the  king  stood  by  the  gate  side,  and  all  the  people 
came  out  by  hundreds  and  by  thousands. 

And  the  king  commanded  Joab  and  Abishai  and  Ittai, 
saying,  "  Deal  gently  for  my  sake  with  the  young  man, 
even  with  Absalom."  And  all  the  people  heard  when  the 
king  gave  all  the  captains  charge  concerning  Absalom. 

So  the  people  went  out  into  the  field  against  Israel :  and 
the  battle  was  in  the  wood  of  Ephraim ;  where  the  people 
of  Israel  were  slain  before  the  servants  of  David,  and  there 
was  there  a  great  slaughter  that  day  of  twenty  thousand 
men.  For  the  battle  was  there  scattered  over  the  face  of 
all  the  country :  and  the  wood  devoured  more  people  that 
day  than  the  sword  devoured. 

And  Absalom  met  the  servants  of  David.  And  Absa- 
lom rode  upon  a  mule,  and  the  mule  went  under  the  thick 
boughs  of  a  great  oak,  and  his  head  caught  hold  of  the 
oak,  and  he  was  taken  up  between  the  heaven  and  the 
earth ;  and  the  mule  that  was  under  him  went  away. 

And  a  certain  man  saw  it,  and  told  Joab,  and  said,  ''Be- 
hold, I  saw  Absalom  hanged  in  an  oak." 

And  Joab  said  unto  the  man  that  told  him,  ''And,  be- 
hold, thou  sawest  him,  and  why  didst  thou  not  smite  him 
there  to  the  ground  ?  and  I  would  have  given  thee  ten 
shekels  of  silver,  and  a  girdle." 

And  the  man  said  unto  Joab,  "  Though  I  should  receive 


75 

a  thousand  shekels  of  silver  in  mine  hand,  yet  would  I  not 
put  forth  mine  hand  against  the  king's  son  :  for  in  our 
hearing  the  king  charged  thee  and  Abishai  and  Ittai,  say- 
ing, '  Beware  that  none  touch  the  young  man  Absalom.' 
Otherwise  I  should  have  wrought  falsehood  against  mine 
own  life :  for  there  is  no  matter  hid  from  the  king,  and 
thou  thyself  wouldest  have  set  thyself  against  me." 

Then  said  Joab,  *'  I  may  not  tarry  thus  with  thee." 
And  he  took  three  darts  in  his  hand,  and  thrust  them 
through  the  heart  of  Absalom,  while  he  was  yet  alive  in 
the  midst  of  the  oak.  And  ten  young  men  that  bare 
Joab's  armour  compassed  about  and  smote  Absalom,  and 
slew  him. 

And  Joab  blew  the  trumpet,  and  the  people  returned 
from  pursuing  after  Israel:  for  Joab  held  back  the  people. 

And  they  took  Absalom,  and  cast  him  into  a  great  pit  in 
the  wood,  and  laid  a  very  great  heap  of  stones  upon  him  : 
and  all  Israel  fled  every  one  to  his  tent. 

2  Samuel  xviii.  i,  4-17. 

XLII.     DAVID'S    SORROW   FOR   ABSALOM. 

AND  David  sat  between  the  two  gates  :  and  the  watch- 
man went  up  to  the  roof  over  the  gate  unto  the  vv^all, 
and  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  looked,  and  behold  a  man  run- 
ning alone.  And  the  watchman  cried,  and  told  the  king. 
And  the  king  said,  "  If  he  be  alone,  there  is  tidings  in  his 
mouth."     And  he  came  apace,  and  drew  near. 

And  the  watchman  saw  another  man  running :  and  the 
watchman  called  unto  the  porter,  and  said,  "  Behold  an- 


76 

other  man  running  alone."     And  the  king  said,  "He  also 
bringeth  tidings." 

And  the  watchman  said,  "  Methinketh  the  running  of 
the  foremost  is  like  the  running  of  Ahimaaz  the  son  of 
Zadok."  And  the  king  said,  ''  He  is  a  good  man,  and 
cometh  with  good  tidings." 

And  Ahimaaz  called,  and  said  unto  the  king,  "All  is 
well."  And  he  fell  down  to  the  earth  upon  his  face  be- 
fore the  king,  and  said,  "  Blessed  be  the  Lord  thy  God, 
which  hath  delivered  up  the  men  that  lifted  up  their  hand 
against  my  lord  the  king." 

And  the  king  said,  "  Is  the  young  man  Absalom  safe.? " 
And  Ahimaaz  answered,  "When  Joab  sent  the  king's  ser- 
vant, and  me  thy  servant,  I  saw  a  great  tumult,  but  I  knew 
not  what  it  was." 

And  the  king  said  unto  him,  "Turn  aside,  and  stand 
here."     And  he  turned  aside,  and  stood  still. 

And,  behold,  Cushi  came;  and  Cushi  said,  "Tidings, 
my  lord  the  king :  for  the  Lord  hath  avenged  thee  this 
day  of  all  them  that  rose  up  against  thee." 

And  the  king  said  unto  Cushi,  "  Is  the  young  man 
Absalom  safe  ? " 

And  Cushi  answered,  "The  enemies  of  my  lord  the 
king,  and  all  that  rise  against  thee  to  do  thee  hurt,  be  as 
that  young  man  is." 

And  the  king  was  much  moved,  and  went  up  to  the 
chamber  over  the  gate,  and  wept:  and  as  he  went,  thus 
he  said,  "  O  my  son  Absalom !  my  son,  my  son  Absalom ! 
would  God  I  had  died  for  thee,  O  Absalom,  my  son,  my 
son ! " 

2  Samuel  xviii.  24-33. 


77 


XLIII.     SOLOMON'S    DREAM. 

IN  Gibeon  the  Lord  appeared  to  Solomon  in  a  dream  by- 
night :  and  God  said,  "Ask  what  I  shall  give  thee.'' 
And  Solomon  said,  ''  Thou  hast  shewed  unto  thy  servant 
David  my  father  great  mercy,  according  as  he  walked  be- 
fore thee  in  truth,  and  in  righteousness,  and  in  uprightness 
of  heart  with  thee ;  and  thou  hast  kept  for  him  this  great 
kindness,  that  thou  hast  given  him  a  son  to  sit  on  his 
throne,  as  it  is  this  day. 

"And  now,  O  Lord  my  God,  thou  hast  made  thy  ser- 
vant king  instead  of  David  my  father :  and  I  am  but  a 
little  child  :  I  know  not  how  to  go  out  or  come  in.  And 
thy  servant  is  in  the  midst  of  thy  people  which  thou  hast 
chosen,  a  great  people,  that  cannot  be  numbered  nor 
counted  for  multitude.  Give  therefore  thy  servant  an 
understanding  heart  to  judge  thy  people,  that  I  may  dis- 
cern between  good  and  bad :  for  who  is  able  to  judge  this 
thy  so  great  a  people.-' " 

And  the  speech  pleased  the  Lord,  that  Solomon  had 
asked  this  thing.  And  God  said  unto  him,  "  Because  thou 
hast  asked  this  thing,  and  hast  not  asked  for  thyself  long 
life ;  neither  hast  asked  riches  for  thyself,  nor  hast  asked 
the  life  of  thine  enemies ;  but  hast  asked  for  thyself 
understanding  to  discern  judgment;  behold,  I  have  done 
according  to  thy  word  :  lo,  I  have  given  thee  a  wise  and 
an  understanding  heart;  so  that  there  was  none  like  thee 
before  thee,  neither  after  thee  shall  any  arise  like  unto 
thee. 

"And  I  have  also  given  thee  that  which  thou  hast  not 


78 

asked,  both  riches,  and  honour :  so  that  there  shall  not  be 
any  among  the  kings  like  unto  thee  all  thy  days.  And  if 
thou  wilt  walk  in  my  ways,  to  keep  my  statutes  and  my 
commandments,  as  thy  father  David  did  walk,  then  I  will 
lengthen  thy  days." 

And  Solomon  awoke ;  and,  behold,  it  was  a  dream. 

I  Kings  iii.  5-15. 

XLIV.     JONAH'S   CALL  TO   REPENTANCE. 

AND  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  Jonah  the 
second  time,  saying,  "Arise,  go  unto  Nineveh,  that 
great  city,  and  preach  unto  it  the  preaching  that  I  bid 
thee." 

So  Jonah  arose,  and  went  unto  Nineveh,  according  to 
the  word  of  the  Lord. 

Now  Nineveh  was  an  exceeding  great  city  of  three 
days'  journey.  And  Jonah  began  to  enter  into  the  city  a 
day's  journey,  and  he  cried,  and  said,  ''Yet  forty  days,  and 
Nineveh  shall  be  overthrown." 

So  the  people  of  Nineveh  believed  God,  and  proclaimed 
a  fast,  and  put  on  sackcloth,  from  the  greatest  of  them 
even  to  the  least  of  them.  For  word  came  unto  the  king 
of  Nineveh,  and  he  arose  from  his  throne,  and  he  laid  his 
robe  from  him,  and  covered  him  with  sackcloth,  and  sat  in 
ashes. 

And  he  caused  it  to  be  proclaimed  and  published 
through  Nineveh  by  the  decree  of  the  king  and  his  nobles, 
saying,  "  Let  neither  man  nor  beast,  herd  nor  flock,  taste 
any  thing :    let  them  not  feed,  nor    drink  water  :  but  let 


79 

man  and  beast  be  covered  with  sackcloth,  and  cry  mightily 
unto  God :  yea,  let  them  turn  every  one  from  his  evil 
way,  and  from  the  violence  that  is  in  their  hands.  Who 
can  tell  if  God  will  turn  and  repent,  and  turn  away  from 
his  fierce  anger,  that  we  perish  not  ?  " 

And  God  saw  their  works,  that  they  turned  from  their 
evil  way;  and  God  repented  of  the  evil,  that  he  had  said 
that  he  would  do  unto  them  ;  and  he  did  it  not. 

Jonah  iii.  i-io. 

XLV.     JONAH'S    GOURD. 

BUT  it  displeased  Jonah  exceedingly,  and  he  was  very 
angry.  And  he  prayed  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  "  I 
pray  thee,  O  Lord,  was  not  this  my  saying,  when  I  was 
yet  in  my  country.-^  Therefore  I  fled  before  unto  Tarshish: 
for  I  knew  that  thou  art  a  gracious  God,  and  merciful, 
slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  kindness,  and  repentest  thee 
of  the  evil.  Therefore  now,  O  Lord,  take,  I  beseech 
thee,  my  life  from  me ;  for  it  is  better  for  me  to  die 
than  to  live." 

Then  said  the  Lord,  "  Doest  thou  well  to  be  angry  ?  " 
So    Jonah  went    out   of   the  city,  and  sat   on  the    east 
side   of  the    city,  and    there   made  him  a  booth,  and  sat 
under   it  in   the    shadow,   till   he    might    see  what  would 
become  of  the -city. 

And  the  Lord  God  prepared  a  gourd,  and  made  it  to 
come  up  over  Jonah,  that  it  might  be  a  shadow  over  his 
head,  to  deliver  him  from  his  grief.  So  Jonah  was  ex- 
ceeding glad  of  the  gourd. 


8o 


But  God  prepared  a  worm  when  the  morning  rose  the 
next  day,  and  it  smote  the  gourd  that  it  withered.  And 
it  came  to  pass,  when  the  sun  did  arise,  that  God  prepared 
a  vehement  east  wind ;  and  the  sun  beat  upon  the  head 
of  Jonah,  that  he  fainted,  and  wished  in  himself  to  die, 
and  said,  "  It  is  better  for  me  to  die  than  to  Uve." 

And  God  said  to  Jonah,  "  Doest  thou  well  to  be  angry 
for  the  gourd  ?  "  And  he  said,  "  I  do  well  to  be  angry, 
even  unto  death."  Then  said  the  Lord,  "  Thou  hast  had 
pity  on  the  gourd,  for  the  which  thou  hast  not  laboured, 
neither  madest  it  grow ;  which  came  up  in  a  night,  and 
perished  in  a  night :  and  should  not  I  spare  Nineveh, 
that  great  city,  wherein  are  more  than  sixscore  thousand 
persons  that  cannot  discern  between  their  right  hand 
and  their  left  hand ;  and  also  much  cattle  ?  " 

Jonah  iv.  i-ii. 

XLVI.    DANIEL'S    FIDELITY   TO    HIS   GOD. 

IT  pleased  Darius  to  set  over  the  kingdom  a  hundred 
and  twenty  princes,  which  should  be  over  the  whole 
kingdom ;  and  over  these  three  presidents ;  of  whom 
Daniel  was  first :  that  the  princes  might  give  accounts 
unto  them,  and  the  king  should  have  no  damage. 

Then  this  Daniel  was  preferred  above  the  presidents 
and  princes,  because  an  excellent  spirit  was  in  him ;  and 
the  king  thought  to  set  him  over  the  whole  realm.  Then 
the  presidents  and  princes  sought  to  find  occasion  against 
Daniel  concerning  the  kingdom  :  but  they  could  find  none 
occasion   nor  fault ;  forasmuch  as  he  was  faithful,  neither 


8i 

was  there  any  error  or  fault  found  in  him.  Then  said 
these  men,  "  We  shall  not  find  any  occasion  against  this 
Daniel,  except  we  find  it  against  him  concerning  the  law 
of  his  God."  Then  these  presidents  and  princes  as- 
sembled together  to  the  king,  and  said  thus  unto  him, 
"  King  Darius,  live  for  ever.  All  the  presidents  of  the 
kingdom,  the  governors,  and  the  princes,  the  counsellors, 
and  the  captains,  have  consulted  together  to  establish  a 
royal  statute,  and  to  make  a  firm  decree,  that  whosoever 
shall  ask  a  petition  of  any  God  or  man  for  thirty  days, 
save  of  thee,  O  king,  he  shall  be  cast  into  the  den  of  Rons. 

*'  Now,  O  king,  establish  the  decree,  and  sign  the  writ- 
ing, that  it  be  not  changed,  according  to  the  law  of  the 
Medes  and  Persians,  which  altereth  not." 

Wherefore    king    Darius    signed    the    writing   and    the 

decree.     Now   when   Daniel   knew  that  the  writing  was 

signed,  he  went  into  his  house ;    and,  his  windows  being 

open  in  his  chamber  toward  Jerusalem,  he  kneeled  upon 

his  knees  three  times  a  day,  and  prayed,  and  gave  thanks 

before  his  God,  as  he  did  aforgtime. 

Daniel  vi.  i-io. 


3»^C 


XLVII.     DANIEL'S    DELIVERANCE. 

THEN  these  men  assembled,  and  found  Daniel  praying 
and  making  supplication  before  his  God. 
Then  they  came  near,  and  spake  before  the  king  con- 
cerning  the   king's   decree ;    ''  Hast    thou   not    signed   a 
decree,  that  every  man  that  shall  ask  a  petition  of  any 

BIB.    READ.  —  6 


82 

God  or  man  within  thirty  days,  save  of  thee,  O  king,  shall 
be  cast  into  the  den  of  lions?"  The  king  answered  and 
said,  ''The  thing  is  true,  according  to  the  law  of  the 
Medes  and  Persians,  which  altereth  not." 

Then  answered  they  and  said  before  the  king,  "  That 
Daniel,  which  is  of  the  children  of  the  captivity  of  Judah, 
regardeth  not  thee,  O  king,  nor  the  decree  that  thou  hast 
signed,  but  maketh  his  petition  three  times  a  day." 

Then  the  king,  when  he  heard  these  words,  was  sore 
displeased  with  himself,  and  set  his  heart  on  Daniel  to 
deliver  him :  and  he  laboured  till  the  going  down  of  the 
sun  to  deliver  him. 

Then  these  men  assembled  unto  the  king,  and  said  unto 
the  king,  ''  Know,  O  king,  that  the  law  of  the  Medes  and 
Persians  is.  That  no  decree  nor  statute  which  the  king 
establisheth  may  be  changed." 

Then  the  king  commanded,  and  they  brought  Daniel, 
and  cast  him  into  the  den  of  lions.  Now  the  king  spake 
and  said  unto  Daniel,  "  Thy  God  whom  thou  servest  con- 
tinually, he  will  deliver  thee." 

And  a  stone  was  brought,  and  laid  upon  the  mouth  of 
the  den ;  and  the  king  sealed  it  with  his  own  signet,  and 
with  the  signet  of  his  lords  ;  that  the  purpose  might  not 
be  changed  concerning  Daniel.  Then  the  king  went  to 
his  palace,  and  passed  the  night  fasting :  neither  were 
instruments  of  music  brought  before  him :  and  his  sleep 
went  from  him. 

Then  the  king  arose  very  early  in  the  morning,  and 
went  in  haste  unto  the  den  of  lions.  And  when  he  came 
to  the  den,  he  cried  with  a  lamentable  voice  unto  Daniel : 
and  the  king  spake  and  said  to  Daniel,  "  O  Daniel,  servant 


83 

of  the  living  God,  is  thy  God,  whom  thou  servest  continu- 
ally, able  to  deliver  thee  from  the  lions  ?  " 

Then  said  Daniel  unto  the  king,  "  O  king,  live  for  ever. 
My  God  hath  sent  his  angel,  and  hath  shut  the  lions' 
mouths,  that  they  have  not  hurt  me  :  forasmuch  as  before 
him  innocency  was  found  in  me ;  and  also  before  thee,  O 
king,  have  I  done  no  hurt." 

Then  was  the  king  exceeding  glad  for  him,  and  com- 
manded that  they  should  take  Daniel  up  out  of  the  den. 
So  Daniel  was  taken  up  out  of  the  den,  and  no  manner 
of  hurt  was  found  upon  him,  because  he  believed  in  his 

^°^-  Daniel  vi.  11-23. 


XLVIII.    THE  SHIPWRECK    OF    PAUL. 

NOW  when  much  time  was  spent,  and  when  sailing 
was  now  dangerous,  because  the  fast  was  now 
already  past,  Paul  admonished  them,  and  said  unto  them, 
"  Sirs,  I  perceive  that  this  voyage  will  be  with  hurt  and 
much  damage,  not  only  of  the  lading  and  ship,  but  also  of 
our  lives." 

Nevertheless  the  centurion  believed  the  master  and  the 
owner  of  the  ship,  more  than  those  things  which  were 
spoken  by  Paul.  And  because  the  haven  was  not  com- 
modious to  winter  in,  the  more  part  advised  to  depart 
thence  also,  if  by  any  means  they  might  attain  to  Phenice, 
and  there  to  winter ;  which  is  a  haven  of  Crete,  and  lieth 
toward  the  southwest  and  northwest.  And  when  the 
south  wind  blew  softly,  supposing  that  they  had  obtained 
their  purpose,  loosing  thence,  they  sailed  close  by  Crete. 


84 

But  not  long  after  there  arose  against  it  a  tempestuous 
wind,  called  Euroclydon.  And  when  the  ship  was  caught, 
and  could  not  bear  up  into  the  wind,  we  let  her  drive. 
And  running  under  a  certain  island  which  is  called  Clauda, 
we  had  much  work  to  come  by  the  boat :  which  when  they 
had  taken  up,  they  used  helps,  undergirding  the  ship ; 
and,  fearing  lest  they  should  fall  into  the  quicksands,  strake 
sail,  and  so  were  driven. 

And  we  being  exceedingly  tossed  with  a  tempest,  the 
next  day  they  lightened  the  ship  ;  and  the  third  day  we 
cast  out  with  our  own  hands  the  tackling  of  the  ship. 
And  when  neither  sun  nor  stars  in  many  days  appeared, 
and  no  small  tempest  lay  on  us,  all  hope  that  we  should 
be  saved  was  then  taken  away. 

But  after  long  abstinence,  Paul  stood  forth  in  the  midst 
of  them,  and  said,  "  Sirs,  ye  should  have  hearkened  unto 
me,  and  not  have  loosed  from  Crete,  and  to  have  gained 
this  harm  and  loss.  And  now  I  exhort  you  to  be  of  good 
cheer :  for  there  shall  be  no  loss  of  any  man's  life  among 
you,  but  of  the  ship.  For  there  stood  by  me  this  night 
the  angel  of  God,  whose  I  am,  and  whom  I  serve,  saying, 
*  Fear  not,  Paul ;  thou  must  be  brought  before  Cesar : 
and,  lo,  God  hath  given  thee  all  them  that  sail  with  thee.' 
Wherefore,  sirs,  be  of  good  cheer :  for  I  believe  God,  that 
it  shall  be  even  as  it  was  told  me.  Howbeit  we  must  be 
cast  upon  a  certain  island." 

THE    ESCAPE. 

But  when  the  fourteenth  ni2:ht  was  come,  as  we  were 
driven  up  and  down  in  Adria,  about  midnight  the  ship- 


8s 

men  deemed  that  they  drew  near  to  some  country ;  and 
sounded,  and  found  it  twenty  fathoms  :  and  when  they 
had  gone  a  little  further,  they  sounded  again,  and  found  it 
fifteen  fathoms.  Then  fearing  lest  we  should  have  fallen 
upon  rocks,  they  cast  four  anchors  out  of  the  stern,  and 
wished  for  the  day. 

And  as  the  shipmen  were  about  to  flee  out  of  the  ship, 
when  they  had  let  down  the  boat  into  the  sea,  under  colour 
as  though  they  would  have  cast  anchors  out  of  the  fore- 
ship,  Paul  said  to  the  centurion  and  to  the  soldiers,  *'  Ex- 
cept these  abide  in  the  ship,  ye  cannot  be  saved." 

Then  the  soldiers  cut  off  the  ropes  of  the  boat,  and  let 
her  fall  off. 

And  while  the  day  was  coming  on,  Paul  besought  them 
all  to  take  meat,  saying,  "  This  day  is  the  fourteenth  day 
that  ye  have  tarried  and  continued  fasting,  having  taken 
nothing.  Wherefore  I  pray  you  to  take  some  meat ;  for 
this  is  for  your  health  :  for  there  shall  not  a  hair  fall  from 
the  head  of  any  of  you." 

And  when  he  had  thus  spoken,  he  took  bread,  and  gave 
thanks  to  God  in  presence  of  them  all ;  and  when  he  had 
broken  it,  he  began  to  eat.  Then  w^ere  they  all  of  good 
cheer,  and  they  also  took  some  meat. 

And  we  were  in  all  in  the  ship  two  hundred  threescore 
and  sixteen  souls. 

And  when  they  had  eaten  enough,  they  lightened  the 
ship,  and  cast  out  the  wheat  into  the  sea.  And  when  it 
was  day,  they  knew  not  the  land  :  but  they  discovered  a 
certain  creek  with  a  shore,  into  the  which  they  were 
minded,  if  it  were  possible,  to  thrust  in  the  ship. 

And  when  they  had  taken  up  the  anchors,  they  com- 


86 

mitted  themselves  unto  the  sea,  and  loosed  the  rudder 
bands,  and  hoised  up  the  mainsail  to  the  wind,  and  made 
toward  shore.  And  falling  into  a  place  where  two  seas 
met,  they  ran  the  ship  aground ;  and  the  forepart  stuck 
fast,  and  remained  unmoveable,  but  the  hinder  part  was 
broken  with  the  violence  of  the  waves. 

And  the  soldiers'  counsel  was  to  kill  the  prisoners,  lest 
any  of  them  should  swim  out,  and  escape.  But  the  cen- 
turion, willing  to  save  Paul,  kept  them  from  their  purpose ; 
and  commanded  that  they  which  could  swim  should  cast 
themselves  first  into  the  sea,  and  get  to  land :  and  the  rest, 
some  on  boards,  and  some  on  broken  pieces  of  the  ship. 
And  so  it  came   to    pass,   that  they  escaped   all  safe  to 

land. 

Acts  xxvii.  9-44 


parablea. 

XLIX.     THE   SOWER. 

BEHOLD,  a  sower  went  forth  to  sow;  and  when  he 
sowed,  some  seeds  fell  by  the  way  side,  and  the  fowls 
came  and  devoured  them  up  :  some  fell  upon  stony  places, 
where  they  had  not  much  earth  :  and  forthwith  they  sprung 
up,  because  they  had  no  deepness  of  earth :  and  when  the 
sun  was  up,  they  were  scorched  ;  and  because  they  had  no 
root,  they  withered  away. 

And  some  fell  among  thorns ;  and  the  thorns  sprung 
up,  and  choked  them :  but  other  fell  into  good  ground, 
and  brought  forth  fruit,  some  a  hundredfold,  some  sixty- 
fold,  some  thirtyfold. 

Who  hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear. 

Matthew  xiii.  3-9. 

Hear  ye  therefore  the  parable  of  the  sower. 

When  any  one  heareth  the  word  of  th^  kingdom,  and 
understandeth  it  not,  then  cometh  the  wicked  one,  and 
catcheth  away  that  which  was  sown  in  his  heart.  This  is 
he  which  received  seed  by  the  way  side. 

But  he  that  received  the  seed  into  stony  places,  the  same 
is  he  that  heareth  the  word,  and  anon  with  joy  receiveth 
it ;  yet  hath  he  not  root  in  himself,  but  dureth  for  a  while : 
for  when  tribulation  or  persecution  ariseth  because  of  the 
word,  by  and  by  he  is  offended. 

87 


88 


He  also  that  received  seed  among  the  thorns  is  he  that 
heareth  the  word ;  and  the  care  of  this  world,  and  the 
deceitfulness  of  riches,  choke  the  word,  and  he  becometh 
unfruitful. 

But  he  that  received  seed  into  the  good  ground  is  he 
that  heareth  the  word,  and  understandeth  it ;  which  also 
beareth  fruit,  and  bringeth  forth,  some  a  hundredfold,  some 
sixty,  some  thirty.  Matthew  xiii.  18-23. 

L.     THE  TARES. 

THE  kingdom  of  heaven  is  likened  unto  a  man  which 
sowed  good  seed  in    his  field : 

But  while  men  slept,  his  enemy  came  and  sowed  tares 
among  the  wheat,  and  went  his  way.  But  when  the  blade 
was  sprung  up,  and  brought  forth  fruit,  then  appeared  the 
tares  also. 

So  the  servants  of  the  householder  came  and  said  unto 
him,  "  Sir,  didst  not  thou  sow  good  seed  in  thy  field  ?  from 
whence  then  hath  it  tares  ?  " 

He  said  unto  them,  "  An  enemy  hath  done  this."  The 
servants  said  unto  him,  "  Wilt  thou  then  that  we  go  and 
gather  them  up  .''" 

But  he  said,  '*  Nay ;  lest  while  ye  gather  up  the  tares, 
ye  root  up  also  the  wheat  with  them.  Let  both  grow 
together  until  the  harvest !  and  in  the  time  of  harvest  I 
will  say  to  the  reapers,  *  Gather  ye  together  first  the  tares, 
and  bind  them  in  bundles  to  burn  them  :  but  gather  the 
wheat  into  my  barn.'  " 

Then  Jesus  sent  the  multitude  away,  and  went  into  the 


89 

house :  and  his  disciples  came  unto  him,  saying,  "  Declare 
unto  us  the  parable  of  the  tares  of  the  field." 

He  answered  and  said  unto  them,  "  He  that  soweth  the 
good  seed  is  the  Son  of  man ;  the  field  is  the  world ;  the 
good  seed  are  the  children  of  the  kingdom ;  but  the  tares 
are  the  children  of  the  wicked  one;  the  enemy  that  sowed 
them  is  the  devil ;  the  harvest  is  the  end  of  the  world  ;  and 
the  reapers  are  the  angels. 

**  As  therefore  the  tares  are  gathered  and  burned  in  the 
fire ;  so  shall  it  be  in  the  end  of  this  world.  The  Son  of 
man  shall  send  forth  his  angels,  and  they  shall  gather 
out  of  his  kingdom  all  things  that  offend,  and  them  which 
do  iniquity ;  and  shall  cast  them  into  a  furnace  of  fire : 
there  shall  be  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth. 

"Then  shall  the  righteous  shine  forth  as  the  sun  in  the 
kingdom  of  their  Father.     Who  hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him 

"^*^^'  Matthew  xiii.  24-30,  36-43. 

LI.     THE    KINGDOM    OF    HEAVEN. 

THE  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  to  a  grain  of  mustard 
seed,  which  a  man  took,  and  sowed  in  his  field : 
which  indeed  is  the  least  of  all  seeds :  but  when  it  is 
grown,  it  is  the  greatest  among  herbs,  and  becometh  a 
tree,  so  that  the  birds  of  the  air  come  and  lodge  in  the 
branches  thereof. 

Another  parable  spake  he  unto  them :  The  kingdom 
of  heaven  is  like  unto  leaven,  which  a  woman  took, 
and  hid  in  three  measures  of  meal,  till  the  whole  was 
leavened. 


90 

All  these  things  spake  Jesus  unto  the  multitude  in 
parables  ;  and  without  a  parable  spake  he  not  unto 
them  :  that  it  might  be  fulfilled  which  was  spoken  by  the 
prophet,  saying, 

"  I  will  open  my  mouth  in  parables ;  I  will  utter  things 
which  have  been  kept  secret  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world." 

Again,  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  treasure  hid 
in  a  field ;  the  which  when  a  man  hath  found,  he  hideth, 
and  for  joy  thereof  goeth  and  selleth  all  that  he  hath,  and 
buyeth  that  field. 

Again,  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  merchant- 
man, seeking  goodly  pearls :  who,  when  he  had  found  one 
pearl  of  great  price,  went  and  sold  all  that  he  had,  and 
bought  it. 

Again,  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  net,  that 
was  cast  into  the  sea,  and  gathered  of  every  kind :  which, 
when  it  was  full,  they  drew  to  shore,  and  sat  down,  and 
gathered  the  good  into  vessels,  but  cast  the  bad  away. 

So  shall  it  be  at  the  end  of  the  world :  the  angels  shall 
come  forth,  and  sever  the  wicked  from  among  the  just, 
and  shall  cast  them  into  the  furnace  of  fire :  there  shall  be 

wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth. 

Matthew  xiii.  31-35,  44-50. 

LII.     THE    UNMERCIFUL    SERVANT. 

THEREFORE  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven  likened  unto  a 
certain  king,  which  would  take  account  of  his  servants. 
And  when  he  had  begun  to  reckon,  one  was  brought  unto 
him,  which  owed   him  ten  thousand  talents.      But  foras- 


91 

much  as  he  had  not  to  pay,  his  lord  commanded  him  to 
be  sold,  and  his  wife,  and  children,  and  all  that  he  had, 
and  payment  to  be  made. 

The  servant  therefore  fell  down,  and  worshipped  him, 
saying,  "  Lord,  have  patience  with  me,  and  I  will  pay  thee 
all." 

Then  the  lord  of  that  servant  was  moved  with  compas- 
sion, and  loosed  him,  and  forgave  him  the  debt. 

But  the  same  servant  went  out,  and  found  one  of  his 
fellow  servants,  which  owed  him  a  hundred  pence :  and  he 
laid  hands  on  him,  and  took  him  by  the  throat,  saying, 
"  Pay  me  that  thou  owest." 

And  his  fellow  servant  fell  down  at  his  feet,  and  be- 
sought him,  saying,  ''  Have  patience  with  me,  and  I  will 
pay  thee  all." 

And  he  would  not :  but  went  and  cast  him  into  prison, 
till  he  should  pay  the  debt. 

So  when  his  fellow  servants  saw  what  was  done,  they 
were  very  sorry,  and  came  and  told  unto  their  lord  all  that 
was  done. 

Then  his  lord,  after  that  he  had  called  him,  said  unto 
him,  "  O  thou  wicked  servant,  I  forgave  thee  all  that  debt, 
because  thou  desiredst  me :  shouldest  not  thou  also  have 
had  compassion  on  thy  fellow  servant,  even  as  I  had  pity 
on  thee  ? " 

And  his  lord  was  wroth,  and  delivered  him  to  the  tor- 
mentors, till  he  should  pay  all  that  was  due  unto  him. 

So  likewise  shall  my  heavenly  Father  do  also  unto  you, 
if  ye  from  your  hearts  forgive  not  every  one  his  brother 
their  trespasses. 

Matthew  xviii.  23-35. 


92 


LIII.     THE    LABOURERS    IN    THE   VINEYARD. 

FOR  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  Hke  unto  a  man  that  is 
a  householder,  which  went  out  early  in  the  morning 
to  hire  labourers  into  his  vineyard.  And  when  he  had 
agreed  with  the  labourers  for  a  penny  a  day,  he  sent 
them  into  his  vineyard. 

And  he  went  out  about  the  third  hour,  and  saw  others 
standing  idle  in  the  marketplace,  and  said  unto  them ; 
"  Go  ye  also  into  the  vineyard,  and  whatsoever  is  right  I 
will  give  you."     And  they  went  their  way. 

Again  he  went  out  about  the  sixth  and  ninth  hour,  and 
did  likewise. 

And  about  the  eleventh  hour  he  went  out,  and  found 
others  standing  idle,  and  saith  unto  them,  *'  Why  stand  ye 
here  all  the  day  idle  ? "  They  say  unto  him,  "  Because 
no  man  hath  hired  us." 

He  saith  unto  them,  "  Go  ye  also  into  the  vineyard ; 
and  whatsoever  is  right,  that  shall  ye  receive." 

So  when  even  was  come,  the  lord  of  the  vineyard  saith 
unto  his  steward,  ''  Call  the  labourers,  and  give  them  their 
hire,  beginning  from  the  last  unto  the  first."  And  when 
they  came  that  were  hired  about  the  eleventh  hour,  they 
received  every  man  a  penny. 

But  when  the  first  came,  they  supposed  that  they  should 
have  received  more ;  and  they  likewise  received  every 
man  a  penny.  And  when  they  had  received  it,  they  mur- 
mured against  the  goodman  of  the  house,  saying,  '*  These 
last  have  wrought  but  one  hour,  and  thou  hast  made  them 


93 

equal  unto  us,  which  have  borne  the  burden  and  heat  of 
the  day." 

But  he  answered  one  of  them,  and  said,  "  Friend,  I  do 
'  thee  no  wrong  :  didst  not  thou  agree  with  me  for  a  penny  ? 
Take  that  thine  is,  and  go  thy  way :  I  will  give  unto  this 
last,  even  as  unto  thee.  Is  it  not  lawful  for  me  to  do  what 
I  will  with  mine  own  ?  Is  thine  eye  evil,  because  I  am 
good  ? " 

So  the  last  shall  be  first,  and  the  first  last :  for  many  be 
called,  but  few  chosen.  Matthew  xx.  1-16. 

LIV.     THE  TEN   VIRGINS. 

THEN  shall  the  kingdom  of  heaven  be  likened  unto 
ten  virgins,  which  took  their  lamps,  and  went  forth 
to  meet  the  bridegroom.  And  five  of  them  were  wise,  and 
five  were  foolish. 

They  that  were  foolish  took  their  lamps,  and  took  no 
oil  with  them :  but  the  wise  took  oil  in  their  vessels  with 
their  lamps. 

While  the  bridegroom  tarried,  they  all  slumbered  and 
slept. 

And  at  midnight  there  was  a  cry  made,  "  Behold,  the 
bridegroom  cometh  ;  go  ye  out  to  meet  him." 

Then  all  those  virgins  arose,  and  trimmed  their  lamps. 
And  the  foolish  said  unto  the  wise,  "  Give  us  of  your  oil ; 
for  our  lamps  are  gone  out." 

But  the  wise  answered,  saying,  "  Not  so  ;  lest  there  be 
not  enough  for  us  and  you :  but  go  ye  rather  to  them  that 
sell,  and  buy  for  yourselves." 


94 

And  while  they  went  to  buy,  the  bridegroom  came ;  and 
they  that  were  ready  went  in  with  him  to  the  marriage : 
and  the  door  was  shut. 

Afterward  came  also  the  other  virgins,  saying,  *'  Lord, 
Lord,  open  to  us."  But  he  answered  and  said,  ''Verily  I 
say  unto  you,  I  know  you  not." 

Watch  therefore ;  for  ye  know  neither  the  day  nor  the 

hour  wherein  the  Son  of  man  cometh. 

Matthew  xxv.  1-13. 


LV.     THE   TALENTS. 

FOR  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  as  a  man  travelling  into 
a  far  country,  who  called  his  own  servants,  and  de- 
livered unto  them  his  goods.  And  unto  one  he  gave  five 
talents,  to  another  two,  and  to  another  one ;  to  every  man 
according  to  his  several  ability ;  and  straightway  took  his 
journey. 

Then  he  that  had  received  the  five  talents  went  and 
traded  with  the  same,  and  made  them  other  five  talents. 

And  likewise  he  that  had  received  two,  he  also  gained 
other  two. 

But  he  that  had  received  one  went  and  digged  in  the 
earth,  and  hid  his  lord's  money. 

After  a  long  time  the  lord  of  those  servants  cometh, 
and  reckoneth  with  them. 

And  so  he  that  had  received  five  talents  came  and 
brought  other  five  talents,  saying,  "  Lord,  thou  deliveredst 
unto  me  five  talents :  behold,  I  have  gained  beside  them 
five  talents  more." 


95 

His  lord  said  unto  him,  "  Well  done,  thou  good  and 
faithful  servant :  thou  hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things, 
I  will  make  thee  ruler  over  many  things :  enter  thou  into 
the  joy  of  thy  lord." 

He  also  that  had  received  two  talents  came  and  said, 
"  Lord,  thou  deliveredst  unto  me  two  talents  :  behold,  I 
have  gained  two  other  talents  beside  them." 

His  lord  said  unto  him,  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant ;  thou  hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will 
make  thee  ruler  over  many  things  :  enter  thou  into  the  joy 
of  thy  lord." 

Then  he  which  had  received  the  one  talent  came  and 
said,  "  Lord,  I  knew  thee  that  thou  art  a  hard  man,  reap- 
ing where  thou  hast  not  sown,  and  gathering  where  thou 
hast  not  strewed  :  and  I  was  afraid,  and  went  and  hid 
thy  talent  in  the  earth :  lo,  there  thou  hast  that  is 
thine." 

His  lord  answered  and  said  unto  him,  "  Thou  wicked 
and  slothful  servant,  thou  knewest  that  I  reap  where  I 
sowed  not,  and  gather  where  I  have  not  strewed :  thou 
oughtest  therefore  to  have  put  my  money  to  the  ex- 
changers, and  then  at  my  coming  I  should  have  received 
mine  own  with  usury. 

"  Take  therefore  the  talent  from  him,  and  give  it  unto 
him  which  hath  ten  talents.  For  unto  every  one  that  hath 
shall  be  given,  and  he  shall  have  abundance :  but  from 
him  that  hath  not  shall  be  taken  away  even  that  which  he 
hath. 

"And  cast  ye  the  unprofitable  servant  into  outer  dark- 
ness :  there  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth." 

Matthew  xxv.  14-30. 


96 


LVI.     THE   GOOD    SAMARITAN. 

AND,  behold,  a  certain  lawyer  stood  up,  and  tempted 
him,  saying,  "  Master,  what  shall  I  do  to  inherit 
eternal  life  ? " 

He  said  unto  him,  *'  What  is  written  in  the  law  ?  how 
readest  thou  ?  " 

And  he  answering  said,  "  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy 
God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all 
thy  strength,  and  with  all  thy  mind ;  and  thy  neighbour 
as  thyself." 

And  he  said  unto  him,  '*  Thou  hast  answered  right :  this 
do,  and  thou  shalt  live." 

But  he,  willing  to  justify  himself,  said  unto  Jesus,  ''And 
who  is  my  neighbour  ?  " 

And  Jesus  answering  said,  "A  certain  man  went  down 
from  Jerusalem  to  Jericho,  and  fell  among  thieves,  which 
stripped  him  of  his  raiment,  and  wounded  him,  and  de- 
parted, leaving  him  half  dead. 

"And  by  chance  there  came  down  a  certain  priest  that 
way ;  and  when  he  saw  him,  he  passed  by  on  the  other 
side.  And  Hkewise  a  Levite,  when  he  was  at  the  place, 
came  and  looked  on  him,  and  passed  by  on  the  other  side. 

"  But  a  certain  Samaritan,  as  he  journeyed,  came  where 
he  was  ;  and  when  he  saw  him,  he  had  compassion  on 
him,  and  went  to  him,  and  bound  up  his  wounds,  pour- 
ing in  oil  and  wine,  and  set  hira  on  his  own  beast,  and 
brought  him  to  an  inn,  and  took  care  of  him. 

"And  on  the  morrow  when  he  departed,  he  took  out 
two  pence,  and  gave  them  to  the  host,  and  said  unto  him, 


97 

'  Take  care  of  him :  and  whatsoever  thou  spendest  more, 
when  I  come  again,  I  will  repay  thee.' 

"  Which  now  of  these  three,  thinkest  thou,  was  neigh- 
bour unto  him  that  fell  among  the  thieves  ? " 

And  he  said,  "  He  that  shewed  mercy  on  him."     Then 
said  Jesus  unto  him,  ''Go,  and  do  thou  likewise." 

Luke  X.  25-37. 


LVII.     THE   RICH    FOOL. 

AND  one  of  the  company  said  unto  him,  "  Master,  speak 
to  my  brother,  that  he  divide  the  inheritance  with 
me." 

And  he  said  unto  him,  "  Man,  who  made  me  a  judge  or 
a  divider  over  you.^" 

And  he  said  unto  them,  "Take  heed,  and  beware  of 
covetousness :  for  a  man's  life  consisteth  not  in  the  abun- 
dance of  the  things  which  he  possesseth." 

And  he  spake  a  parable  unto  them,  saying,  "  The  ground 
of  a  certain  rich  man  brought  forth  plentifully:  and  he 
thought  within  himself,  saying,  'What  shall  I  do,  because 
I  have  no  room  where  to  bestow  my  fruits.?'  And  he  said, 
'This  will  I  do  :  I  will  pull  down  my  barns,  and  build 
greater;  and  there  will  I  bestow  all  my  fruits  and  my 
goods.  And  I  will  say  to  my  soul,  "  Soul,  thou  hast  much 
goods  laid  up  for  many  years ;  take  thine  ease,  eat,  drink, 
and  be  merry." ' 

"  But  God  said  unto  him,  '  Thou  fool,  this  night  thy 
soul  shall  be  required  of   thee :    then  whose   shall  those 

BIB.    READ.  —  7 


98 

things  be,  which  thou  hast  provided  ? '     So  is  he  that  lay- 
eth  up  treasure  for  himself,  and  is  not  rich  toward  God." 

Luke  xii.  13-21. 

LVIII.     THE   GREAT    SUPPER. 

THEN  said  he  also  to  him  that  bade  him,  "When  thou 
makest  a  dinner  or  a  supper,  call  not  thy  friends, 
nor  thy  brethren,  neither  thy  kinsmen,  nor  thy  rich  neigh- 
bours ;  lest  they  also  bid  thee  again,  and  a  recompense 
be  made  thee.  But  when  thou  makest  a  feast,  call  the 
poor,  the  maimed,  the  lame,  the  blind :  and  thou  shalt  be 
blessed;  for  they  cannot  recompense  thee  :  for  thou  shalt 
be  recompensed  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just." 

And  when  one  of  them  that  sat  at  meat  with  him  heard 
these  things,  he  said  unto  him,  "  Blessed  is  he  that  shall 
eat  bread  in  the  kingdom  of  God." 

Then  said  he  unto  him,  "A  certain  man  made  a  great 
supper,  and  bade  many  :  and  sent  his  servant  at  supper 
time  to  say  to  them  that  were  bidden,  *  Come  ;  for  all 
things  are  now  ready.'  And  they  all  with  one  consent 
began  to  make  excuse.  The  first  said  unto  him,  '  I  have 
bought  a  piece  of  ground,  and  I  must  needs  go  and  see 
it:  I  pray  thee  have  me  excused.'  And  another  said,  '  I 
have  bought  five  yoke  of  oxen,  and  I  go  to  prove  them : 
I  pray  thee  have  me  excused.'  And  another  said,  'I  have 
married  a  wife,  and  therefore  I  cannot  come.' 

"  So  that  servant  came,  and  shewed  his  lord  these 
things.  Then  the  master  of  the  house  being  angry  said 
to  his  servant,  *  Go  out  quickly  into  the  streets  and  lanes 


99 

of  the  city,  and  briiii;-  in  liithcr  the  poor,  and  the  maimed, 
and  the  halt,  and  the  l)lind.' 

**And  the  servant  said,  '  Lord,  it  is  done  as  thou  hast 
commanded,  and  yet  there  is  room.' 

"And  the  loiil  said  unto  the  servant,  *Go  out  into  the 
highways  and  hedges,  and  compel  them  to  come  in,  that 
my  house  may  be  filled.  For  I  say  unto  you,  that  none 
of  those  men  which  were  bidden  shall  taste  of  my  supper.'  " 

Luke  xiv.  12-24. 

LIX.     SEEKING   THE   LOST. 

WHAT  man  of  you,  having  a  hundred  sheep,  if  he 
lose  one  of  them,  doth  not  leave  the  ninety  and 
nine  in  the  wilderness,  and  go  after  that  which  is  lost, 
until   he  find  it  ? 

And  when  he  hath  found  it,  he  layeth  it  on  his  shoul- 
ders, rejoicing.  And  when  he  cometh  home,  he  calleth 
together  his  friends  and  neighbours,  saying  unto  them, 
"  Rejoice  with  me  ;  for  I  have  found  my  sheep  which  was 
lost." 

I  say  inito  you,  that  likewise  joy  shall  be  in  heaven  over 
one  sinner  that  repenteth,  more  than  over  ninety  and  nine 
just  persons,  which  need  no  repentance. 

Either  what  woman  having  ten  pieces  of  silver,  if  she 
lose  one  piece,  doth  not  light  a  candle,  and  sweep  the 
house,  and  seek  diligently  till  she  find  it  ?  And  when  she 
hath  found  it,  she  calleth  her  friends  and  her  neighbours 
together,  saying,  "  Rejoice  with  me  ;  for  I  have  found  the 
piece  which  I  had  lost." 


100 


Likewise,  I  say  unto  you,  there  is  joy  in  the  presence 
of  the  angels  of  God  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth. 

Luke  XV.  4-10. 


3XKC 


LX.     THE    PRODIGAL   SON. 

A  CERTAIN  man  had  two  sons:  and  the  younger  of 
them  said  to  his  father,  "  Father,  give  me  the  portion 
of  goods  that  falleth  to  me."  And  he  divided  unto  them 
his  living. 

And  not  many  days  after  the  younger  son  gathered  all 
together,  and  took  his  journey  into  a  far  country,  and 
there  wasted  his  substance  with  riotous  living. 

And  when  he  had  spent  all,  there  arose  a  mighty  fam- 
ine in  that  land ;  and  he  began  to  be  in  want.  And  he 
went  and  joined  himself  to  a  citizen  of  that  country ;  and 
he  sent  him  into  his  fields  to  feed  swine. 

And  he  would  fain  have  filled  his  belly  with  the  husks 
that  the  swine  did  eat :  and  no  man  gave  unto  him. 

And  when  he  came  to  himself,  he  said,  '*  How  many 
hired  servants  of  my  father's  have  bread  enough  and  to 
spare,  and  I  perish  with  hunger !  I  will  arise  and  go  to 
my  father,  and  will  say  unto  him,  *  Father,  I  have  sinned 
against  heaven,  and  before  thee,  and  am  no  more  worthy 
to  be  called  thy  son :  make  me  as  one  of  thy  hired 
servants.' " 

And  he  arose,  and  came  to  his  father. 

But  when  he  was  yet  a  great  way  off,  his  father  saw 
him,  and  had  compassion,  and  ran,  and  fell  on  his  neck, 
and  kissed  him. 


lOI 


And  the  son  said  unto  him,  "  Father,  I  have  sinned 
against  heaven,  and  in  thy  sight,  and  am  no  more  worthy 
to  be  called  thy  son." 

But  the  father  said  to  his  servants,  **  Bring  forth  the 
best  robe,  and  put  it  on  him ;  and  put  a  ring  on  his  hand, 
and  shoes  on  his  feet : 

"And  bring  hither  the  fatted  calf,  and  kill  it;  and  let  us 
eat,  and  be  merry :  for  this  my  son  was  dead,  and  is  alive 
again ;  he  was  lost,  and  is  found."  And  they  began  to  be 
merry. 

Now  his  elder  son  was  in  the  field  :  and  as  he  came  and 
drew  nigh  to  the  house,  he  heard  music  and  dancing. 
And  he  called  one  of  the  servants,  and  asked  what  these 
things  meant. 

And  he  said  unto  him,  "  Thy  brother  is  come ;  and  thy 
father  hath  killed  the  fatted  calf,  because  he  hath  received 
him  safe  and  sound." 

And  he  was  angry,  and  would  not  go  in :  therefore 
came  his  father  out,  and  entreated  him.  And  he  answer- 
ing said  to  his  father,  '*  Lo,  these  many  years  do  I  serve 
thee,  neither  transgressed  I  at  any  time  thy  command- 
ment ;  and  yet  thou  never  gavest  me  a  kid,  that  I  might 
make  merry  with  my  friends :  but  as  soon  as  this  thy 
son  was  come,  which  hath  devoured  thy  living,  thou  hast 
killed  for  him  the  fatted  calf." 

And  he  said  unto  him,  "  Son,  thou  art  ever  with  me, 
and  all  that  I  have  is  thine. 

"  It  was  meet  that  we  should  make  merry,  and  be  glad  : 
for  this  thy  brother  was  dead,  and  is  alive  again ;  and  was 
lost,  and  is  found." 

Luke  XV.  11-32. 


I02 


LXI.     THE    RICH    MAN    AND    LAZARUS. 

THERE  was  a  certain  rich  man,  which  was  clothed  in 
purple  and  fine  linen,  and  fared  sumptuously  every  day : 

And  there  was  a  certain  beggar  named  Lazarus,  which 
was  laid  at  his  gate,  full  of  sores,  and  desiring  to  be  fed 
with  the  crumbs  which  fell  from  the  rich  man's  table : 
moreover  the  dogs  came  and  licked  his  sores. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  that  the  beggar  died,  and  was 
carried  by  the  angels  into  Abraham's  bosom :  the  rich  man 
also  died,  and  was  buried ;  and  in  hell  he  lifted  up  his  eyes, 
being  in  torments,  and  seeth  Abraham  afar  off,  and  Laza- 
rus in  his  bosom. 

And  he  cried  and  said,  "  Father  Abraham,  have  mercy 
on  me,  and  send  Lazarus,  that  he  may  dip  the  tip  of  his 
finger  in  water,  and  cool  my  tongue ;  for  I  am  tormented 
in  this  flame." 

But  Abraham  said,  "  Son,  remember  that  thou  in  thy 
lifetime  receivedst  thy  good  things,  and  likewise  Lazarus 
evil  things :  but  now  he  is  comforted,  and  thou  art  tor- 
mented. And  beside  all  this,  between  us  and  you  there  is 
a  great  gulf  fixed :  so  that  they  which  would  pass  from 
hence  to  you  cannot ;  neither  can  they  pass  to  us,  that 
would  come  from  thence." 

Then  he  said,  ''  I  pray  thee  therefore,  father,  that  thou 
wouldest  send  him  to  my  father's  house  :  for  I  have  five 
brethren ;  that  he  may  testify  unto  them,  lest  they  also 
come  into  this  place  of  torment." 

Abraham  saith  unto  him,  "  They  have  Moses  and  the 
prophets  ;  let  them  hear  them." 


103 

And  he  said,  "  Nay,  father  Abraham  :  but  if  one  went 
unto  them  from  the  dead,  they  will  repent." 

And  he  said  unto  him,  "If  they  hear  not  Moses  and  the 
prophets,  neither  will  they  be  persuaded,  though  one  rose 
from  the  dead."  Luke  xvi.  19-31. 

LXII.     THE   PHARISEE   AND   THE    PUBLICAN. 

AND  he  spake  this  parable  unto  certain  which  trusted 
in  themselves  that  they  were  righteous,  and  despised 
others : 

"  Two  men  went  up  into  the  temple  to  pray ;  the  one  a 
Pharisee,  and  the  other  a  publican. 

"The  Pharisee  stood  and  prayed  thus  with  himself, 
*  God,  I  thank  thee,  that  I  am  not  as  other  men  are, 
extortioners,  unjust,  adulterers,  or  even  as  this  publican. 
I  fast  twice  in  the  week,  I  give  tithes  of  all  that  I  possess.' 

"  And  the  publican,  standing  afar  off,  would  not  lift  so 
much  as  his  eyes  unto  heaven,  but  smote  upon  his  breast, 
saying,  *  God,  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner.'  I  tell  you, 
this  man  went  down  to  his  house  justified  rather  than  the 
other :  for  every  one  that  exalteth  himself  shall  be  abased ; 
and  he  that  humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted." 

And  they  brought  unto  him  also  infants,  that  he  would 
touch  them :  but  when  his  disciples  saw  it,  they  rebuked 
them.  But  Jesus  called  them  unto  him,  and  said, 
"  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them 
not :  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.  Verily  I  say 
unto  you,  Whosoever  shall  not  receive  the  kingdom  of  God 
as  a  little  child  shall  in  no  wise  enter  therein." 

Luke  xviii.  9-17. 


Saijinge  anb  ©iecoureee* 

LXIII.     THE   BLESSED. 

BLESSED  are  the  poor  in  spirit :  for  theirs  is  the 
kingdom  of  heaven. 

Blessed  are  they  that  mourn :  for  they  shall  be  com- 
forted. 

Blessed  are  the  meek :  for  they  shall  inherit  the  earth. 

Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness :    for  they  shall  be  filled. 

Blessed  are  the  merciful :  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy. 

Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart :  for  they  shall  see  God. 

Blessed  are  the  peacemakers :  for  they  shall  be  called 
the  children  of  God. 

Blessed  are  they  which  are  persecuted  for  righteous- 
ness' sake :  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Blessed  are  ye,  when  men  shall  revile  you,  and  perse- 
cute you,  and  shall  say  all  manner  of  evil  against  you 
falsely,  for  my  sake.  Rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad: 
for  great  is  your  reward  in  heaven  :  for  so  persecuted 
they  the  prophets  which  were  before  you. 

Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  earth  :  but  if  the  salt  have  lost  his 

savour,  wherewith  shall  it  be  salted  ?  it  is  thenceforth  good 

for  nothing,  but  to  be  cast  out,  and  to  be  trodden  under 

foot  of  men. 

Matthew  v.  3-13. 

104 


105 


LXIV.     LOVE   YOUR   ENEMIES. 

YE  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said,  *'  Thou  shalt  love 
thy  neighbour,  and  hate  thine  enemy."  But  I  say 
unto  you.  Love  your  enemies,  bless  them  that  curse  you, 
do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them  which 
despitefully  use  you,  and  persecute  you ;  that  ye  may  be 
the  children  of  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven :  for  he 
maketh  his  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil  and  on  the  good,  and 
sendeth  rain  on  the  just  and  on  the  unjust. 

For  if  ye  love  them  which  love  you,  what  reward  have 
ye .''  do  not  even  the  publicans  the  same  ?  And  if  ye 
salute  your  brethren  only,  what  do  ye  more  than  others  ? 
do  not  even  the  publicans  so  ? 

Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as  your  Father  which  is 
in  heaven  is  perfect.  Matthew  v.  43-48. 

FORGIVENESS. 

Then  came  Peter  to  him,  and  said,  **  Lord,  how  oft 
shall  my  brother  sin  against  me,  and  I  forgive  him  ? 
till  seven  times.''"  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  ''I  say  not  unto 
thee,  until  seven  times :    but,  until  seventy  times  seven." 

Matthew  xviii.  21,  22. 

LXV.     LOVE   AND    MERCY. 

BUT  I  say  unto  you  which  hear.  Love  your  enemies,  do 
good  to  them  which  hate  you,  bless  them  that  curse 
you,  and  pray  for  them  which  despitefully  use  you.  And 
unto  him  that  smiteth  thee  on  the  one  cheek  offer  also  the 


io6 


other;  and  him  that  taketh  away  thy  cloak  forbid  not  to 
take  thy  coat  also.  Give  to  every  man  that  asketh  of  thee  ; 
and  of  him  that  taketh  away  thy  goods  ask  them  not  again. 
And  as  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  also  to 
them  likewise. 

For  if  ye  love  them  which  love  you,  what  thank  have 
ye }  for  sinners  also  love  those  that  love  them.  And  if 
ye  do  good  to  them  which  do  good  to  you,  what  thank 
have  ye  ?  for  sinners  also  do  even  the  same.  And  if  ye 
lend  to  them  of  whom  ye  hope  to  receive,  what  thank 
have  ye }  for  sinners  also  lend  to  sinners,  to  receive  as 
much  again.  But  love  ye  your  enemies,  and  do  good,  and 
lend,  hoping  for  nothing  again  ;  and  your  reward  shall  be 
great,  and  ye  shall  be  the  children  of  the  Highest :  for  he 
is  kind  unto  the  unthankful  and  to  the  evil. 

Be  ye  therefore  merciful,  as  your  Father  also  is  merci- 
ful. Judge  not,  and  ye  shall  not  be  judged :  condemn 
not,  and  ye  shall  not  be  condemned :  forgive,  and  ye  shall 
be  forgiven :  give,  and  it  shall  be  given  unto  you ;  good 
measure,  pressed  down,  and  shaken  together,  and  running 
over,  shall  men  give  into  your  bosom.  For  with  the  same 
measure  that  ye  mete  withal  it  shall  be  measured  to  you 
again. 

Why  beholdest  thou  the  mote  that  is  in  thy  brother's 
eye,  but  perceivest  not  the  beam  that  is  in  thine  own  eye  ? 
Either  how  canst  thou  say  to  thy  brother,  "  Brother,  let  me 
pull  out  the  mote  that  is  in  thine  eye,"  when  thou  thyself 
beholdest  not  the  beam  that  is  in  thine  own  eye  ?  Thou 
hypocrite,  cast  out  first  the  beam  out  of  thine  own  eye,  and 
then  shalt  thou  see  clearly  to  pull  out  the  mote  that  is  in 
thy  brother's  eye.  Luke  vi.  27-38,  41,  42. 


107 


LXVI.     PRAYER. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  that,  as  he  was  praying  in  a  cer- 
tain place,  when  he  ceased,  one  of  his  disciples  said 
unto  him,  "  Lord,  teach  us  to  pray,  as  John  also  taught  his 
disciples." 

And  he  said  unto  them,  '*  When  ye  pray,  say,  '  Our 
Father  which  art  in  heaven,  Hallowed  be  thy  name.  Thy 
kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  done,  as  in  heaven,  so  in 
earth.  Give  us  day  by  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive 
us  our  sins ;  for  we  also  forgive  every  one  that  is  indebted 
to  us.  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation ;  but  deliver  us 
from  evil.'  " 

And  he  said  unto  them,  "  Which  of  you  shall  have  a 
friend,  and  shall  go  unto  him  at  midnight,  and  say  unto 
him,  '  Friend,  lend  me  three  loaves ;  for  a  friend  of  mine 
in  his  journey  is  come  to  me,  and  I  have  nothing  to  set 
before  him  ? '  And  he  from  within  shall  answer  and  say, 
*  Trouble  me  not :  the  door  is  now  shut,  and  my  children 
are  with  me  in  bed :  I  cannot  rise  and  give  thee.' 

"  I  say  unto  you,  Though  he  will  not  rise  and  give  him 
because  he  is  his  friend,  yet  because  of  his  importunity 
he  will  rise  and  give  him  as  many  as  he  needeth. 

"  And  I  say  unto  you,  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you  ; 
seek,  and  ye  shall  find  ;  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened 
unto  you.  For  every  one  that  asketh  receiveth  ;  and  he 
that  seeketh  findeth ;  and  to  him  that  knocketh  it  shall  be 
opened. 

"  If  a  son  shall  ask  bread  of  any  of  you  that  is  a  father, 
will  he  give  him  a  stone  ?  or  if  he  ask  a  fish,  will  he  for 


io8 


a  fish  give  him  a  serpent  ?     Or  if  he  shall  ask  an  Qgg,  will 
he  offer  him  a  scorpion  ? 

*'  If  ye  then,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts 
unto  your  children ;  how  much  more  shall  your  heavenly 
Father  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him  ?" 

Luke  xi.  1-13. 

LXVII.     PROVIDENCE. 

NO  man  can  serve  two  masters :  for  either  he  will  hate 
the  one,  and  love  the  other ;  or  else  he  will  hold  to 
the  one,  and  despise  the  other.  Ye  cannot  serve  God  and 
mammon. 

Therefore  I  say  unto  you.  Take  no  thought  for  your 
life,  what  ye  shall  eat,  or  what  ye  shall  drink ;  nor  yet  for 
your  body,  what  ye  shall  put  on.  Is  not  the  life  more  than 
meat,  and  the  body  than  raiment  ? 

Behold  the  fowls  of  the  air  :  for  they  sow  not,  neither 
do  they  reap,  nor  gather  into  barns ;  yet  your  heavenly 
Father  f eedeth  them.  Are  ye  not  much  better  than  they .? 
Which  of  you  by  taking  thought  can  add  one  cubit  unto 
his  stature .''  And  why  take  ye  thought  for  raiment  ? 
Consider  the  lilies  of  the  field,  how  they  grow ;  they  toil 
not,  neither  do  they  spin  :  and  yet  I  say  unto  you,  That 
even  Solomon  in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of 
these. 

Wherefore,  if  God  so  clothe  the  grass  of  the  field,  which 
to-day  is,  and  to-morrow  is  cast  into  the  oven,  shall  he  not 
much  more  clothe  you,  O  ye  of  little  faith  ? 

Therefore  take  no  thought,  saying.  What  shall  we  eat  ? 


109 

or,  What  shall  we  drink  ?  or,  Wherewithal  shall  we  be 
clothed?  (For  after  all  these  things  do  the  Gentiles  seek:) 
for  your  heavenly  Father  knoweth  that  ye  have  need  of 
all  these  things. 

But  seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his  righteous- 
ness ;  and  all  these  things  shall  be  added  unto  you. 

Take  therefore  no  thought  for  the  morrow :  for  the  mor- 
row shall  take  thought  for  the  things  of  itself.     Sufficient 

unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof. 

Matthew  vi,  24-34. 

LXVIII.     HUMILITY. 

AND  James  and  John,  the  sons  of  Zebedee,  come  unto 
him,  saying,  "  Master,  we  would  that  thou  shouldest 
do  for  us  whatsoever  we  shall  desire." 

And  he  said  unto  them,  *'  What  would  ye  that  I  should 
do  for  you  ?  " 

They  said  unto  him,  "  Grant  unto  us  that  we  may  sit, 
one  on  thy  right  hand,  and  the  other  on  thy  left  hand,  in 
thy  glory." 

But  Jesus  said  unto  them,  "  Ye  know  not  what  ye  ask  : 
can  ye  drink  of  the  cup  that  I  drink  of  ?  and  be  baptized 
with  the  baptism  that  I  am  baptized  with  ?  " 

And  they  said  unto  him,  "  We  can."  And  Jesus  said  unto 
them,  ''  Ye  shall  indeed  drink  of  the  cup  that  I  drink  of ; 
and  with  the  baptism  that  I  am  baptized  withal  shall  ye 
be  baptized  :  but  to  sit  on  my  right  hand  and  on  my  left 
hand  is  not  mine  to  give ;  but  it  shall  be  given  to  them  for 
whom  it  is  prepared." 


no 

And  when  the  ten  heard  it,  they  began  to  be  much  dis- 
pleased with  James  and  John. 

But  Jesus  called  them  to  him,  and  saith  unto  them,  '*  Ye 
know  that  they  which  are  accounted  to  rule  over  the  Gen- 
tiles exercise  lordship  over  them ;  and  their  great  ones 
exercise  authority  upon  them.  But  so  shall  it  not  be 
among  you :  but  whosoever  will  be  great  among  you,  shall 
be  your  minister :  and  whosoever  of  you  will  be  the  chief- 
est,  shall  be  servant  of  all. 

"  For  even  the  Son  of  man  came  not  to  be  ministered 

unto,  but  to  minister,  and  to  give  his  Hfe  a  ransom   for 

many." 

Mark  x.  35-45. 

Then  there  arose  a  reasoning  among  them,  which  of 
them  should  be  greatest. 

And  Jesus,  perceiving  the  thought  of  their  heart,  took 
a  child,  and  set  him  by  him,  and  said  unto  them,  "Who- 
soever shall  receive  this  child  in  my  name  receiveth  me ; 
and  whosoever  shall  receive  me,  receiveth  him  that  sent 
me :  for  he  that  is  least  among  you  all,  the  same  shall  be 

great." 

Luke  ix.  46-48. 

And  he  put  forth  a  parable  to  those  which  were  bidden, 
when  he  marked  how  they  chose  out  the  chief  rooms; 
saying  unto  them,  '*  When  thou  art  bidden  of  any  man  to 
a  wedding,  sit  not  down  in  the  highest  room ;  lest  a  more 
honourable  man  than  thou  be  bidden  of  him ;  and  he  that 
bade  thee  and  him  come  and  say  to  thee,  '  Give  this  man 
place ; '  and  thou  begin  with  shame  to  take  the  lowest 
room.     But  when  thou  art  bidden,  go  and  sit  down  in  the 


Ill 

lowest  room ;  that  when  he  that  bade  thee  cometh,  he  may- 
say  unto  thee,  '  Friend,  go  up  higher : '  then  shalt  thou 
have  worship  in  the  presence  of  them  that  sit  at  meat  with 
thee.  For  whosoever  exalteth  himself  shall  be  abased ;  and 
he  that  humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted." 

Luke  xiv.  7-1 1. 

LXIX.     THE   TREE   AND    ITS    FRUIT;    THE 
HEART  AND    ITS   TREASURE. 

EITHER  make  the  tree  good,  and  his  fruit  good;  or 
else  make  the  tree  corrupt,  and  his  fruit  corrupt :  for 
the  tree  is  known  by  his  fruit. 

O  generation  of  vipers,  how  can  ye,  being  evil,  speak 
good  things.'^  for  out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the 
mouth  speaketh.  A  good  man  out  of  the  good  treasure  of 
the  heart  bringeth  forth  good  things  :  and  an  evil  man  out 
of  the  evil  treasure  bringeth  forth  evil  things. 

But  I  say  unto  you,  That  every  idle  word  that  men  shall 
speak,  they  shall  give  account  thereof  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment.    For  by  thy  words  thou  shalt  be  justified,  and  by 

thy  words  thou  shalt  be  condemned. 

Matthew  xii.  33-37. 

Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  upon  earth,  where 
moth  and  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where  thieves  break 
through  and  steal :  but  lay  up  for  yourselves  treasures  in 
heaven,  where  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  and 
where  thieves  do  not  break  through  nor  steal :  for  where 
your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart  be  also. 

Matthew  vi.  19-21. 


112 

For  a  good  tree  bringeth  not  forth  corrupt  fruit ;  neither 
doth  a  corrupt  tree  bring  forth  good  fruit.  For  every  tree 
is  known  by  his  own  fruit.  For  of  thorns  men  do  not 
gather  figs,  nor  of  a  bramble  bush  gather  they  grapes,  A 
good  man  out  of  the  good  treasure  of  his  heart  bringeth 
forth  that  which  is  good ;  and  an  evil  man  out  of  the 
evil  treasure  of  his  heart  bringeth  forth  that  which  is  evil  : 
for  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  his  mouth  speaketh. 

Luke  vi.  43-45. 

LXX.     THE   TWO    CLASSES   OF    HEARERS. 

NOT  every  one  that  saith  unto  me,  ''Lord,  Lord,"  shall 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven ;  but  he  that  doeth 
the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  Many  will  say 
to  me  in  that  day,  "  Lord,  Lord,  have  we  not  prophesied  in 
thy  name  ?  and  in  thy  name  have  cast  out  devils  ?  and  in 
thy  name  done  many  wonderful  works.''"  And  then  will  I 
profess  unto  them,  "  I  never  knew  you :  depart  from  me, 
ye  that  work  iniquity."  Therefore  whosoever  heareth 
these  sayings  of  mine,  and  doeth  them,  I  will  liken  him 
unto  a  wise  man,  which  built  his  house  upon  a  rock :  and 
the  rain  descended,  and  the  floods  came,  and  the  winds 
blew,  and  beat  upon  that  house;  and  it  fell  not:  for  it 
was  founded  upon  a  rock.  And  every  one  that  heareth 
these  sayings  of  mine,  and  doeth  them  not,  shall  be  likened 
unto  a  foolish  man,  which  built  his  house  upon  the  sand : 
and  the  rain  descended,  and  the  floods  came,  and  the 
winds  blew,  and  beat  upon  that  house ;    and  it  fell :   and 

great  was  the  fall  of  it. 

Matthew  vii.  21-27. 


113 


LXXI.     THE   GOOD    SHEPHERD. 

VERILY,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  He  that  entereth  not 
by  the  door  into  the  sheepfold,  but  climbeth  up  some 
other  way,  the  same  is  a  thief  and  a  robber. 

But  he  that  entereth  in  by  the  door  is  the  shepherd  of 
the  sheep.  To  him  the  porter  openeth ;  and  the  sheep 
hear  his  voice :  and  he  calleth  his  own  sheep  by  name, 
and  leadeth  them  out.  And  when  he  putteth  forth  his 
own  sheep,  he  goeth  before  them,  and  the  sheep  follow 
him  :  for  they  know  his  voice. 

And  a  stranger  will  they  not  follow,  but  will  flee  from 
him  ;  for  they  know  not  the  voice  of  strangers. 

Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  I  am  the  door  of  the 
sheep.  All  that  ever  came  before  me  are  thieves  and 
robbers :  but  the  sheep  did  not  hear  them. 

I  am  the  door :  by  me  if  any  man  enter  in,  he  shall  be 
saved,  and  shall  go  in  and  out,  and  find  pasture.  The 
thief  Cometh  not,  but  for  to  steal,  and  to  kill,  and  to 
destroy :  I  am  come  that  they  might  have  life,  and  that 
they  might  have  it  more  abundantly. 

I  am  the  good  shepherd :  the  good  shepherd  giveth  his 
life  for  the  sheep.  But  he  that  is  a  hireling,  and  not  the 
shepherd,  whose  own  the  sheep  are  not,  seeth  the  wolf 
coming,  and  leaveth  the  sheep,  and  fleeth ;  and  the  wolf 
catcheth  them,  and  scattereth  the  sheep. 

The  hireling  fleeth,  because  he  is  a  hireling,  and  careth 
not  for  the  sheep.  I  am  the  good  shepherd,  and  know 
my  sheep,  and  am  known  of  mine.     As  the  Father  know- 

BIB,    READ.  —  8 


114 

eth  me,  even  so  know  I  the  Father :  and  I  lay  down  my 
life  for  the  sheep. 

And  other  sheep  I  have,  which  are  not  of  this  fold : 
them  also  I  must  bring,  and  they  shall  hear  my  voice  ; 
and  there  shall  be  one  fold,  and  one  shepherd.  There- 
fore doth  my  Father  love  me,  because  I  lay  down  my 
life,  that  I  might  take  it  again.  No  man  taketh  it  from 
me,  but  I  lay  it  down  of  myself.  I  have  power  to  lay 
it  down,  and  I  have  power  to  take  it  again.  This 
commandment  have  I  received  of  my  Father. 

John  X.  1-5,  7-18. 

LXXII.     FEEDING    THE   LAMBS    AND   THE 
SHEEP. 

SO  when  they  had  dined,  Jesus  saith  to  Simon  Peter, 
"  Simon,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me  more  than 
these  ?  "  He  saith  unto  him,  ^'  Yea,  Lord ;  thou  knowest 
that  I  love  thee."  He  saith  unto  him,  "  Feed  my  lambs." 
He  saith  to  him  again  the  second  time,  ''  Simon,  son  of 
Jonas,  lovest  thou  me  .-^ "  He  saith  unto  him,  "Yea, 
Lord;  thou  knowest  that  I  love  thee."  He  saith  unto 
him,  *'  Feed  my  sheep."  He  saith  unto  him  the  third 
time,  "  Simon,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me  ?  "  Peter  was 
grieved  because  he  said  unto  him  the  third  time,  "  Lovest 
thou  me }  "  And  he  said  unto  him,  "  Lord,  thou  knowest 
all  things;  thou  knowest  that  I  love  thee."     Jesus  saith 

unto  him,  ''Feed  my  sheep." 

John  xxi.  15-17. 

Then  said  he  unto  the  disciples,  "  It  is  impossible  but 
that  offences  will  come :  but  woe  unto  him,  through  whom 


115 

they  come  !     It  were  better  for  him  that  a  millstone  were 

hanged  about  his  neck,  and  he  cast  into  the  sea,  than  that 

he  should  offend  one  of  these  little  ones." 

Luke  xvii.  i,  2. 

And  they  brought  young  children  to  him,  that  he  should 
touch  them ;  and  his  disciples  rebuked  those  that  brought 
them. 

But  when  Jesus  saw  it,  he  was  much  displeased,  and 
said  unto  them,  "  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto 
me,  and  forbid  them  not ;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Verily  I  say  unto  you.  Whosoever  shall  not  receive 
the  kingdom  of  God  as  a  little  child,  he  shall  not  enter 
therein." 

And  he  took  them  up  in  his  arms,  put  his  hands  upon 

them,  and  blessed  them. 

Mark  x.  13-16. 


LXXIII.     THE   TWO   GREAT  COMMANDMENTS. 

THEN  one  of  them,  Vv^hich  was  a  lawyer,  asked  him 
a  question,  tempting  him,  and  saying,  "  Master,  which 
is  the  great  commandment  in  the  law  ?  "  Jesus  said  unto 
him,  *' '  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart, 
and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind.'  This  is  the 
first  and  great  commandment.  And  the  second  is  like 
unto  it,  'Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself.'  On 
these    two    commandments    hang   all   the    law   and    the 

prophets." 

Matthew  xxii.  35-40. 

LXXIV.     THE   TEN   COMMANDMENTS. 

I.    T^HOU  shalt  have  no  other  gods  before  me. 

1  2.  Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  graven 
image,  or  any  likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  heaven  above, 
or  that  is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in  the  water  under 
the  earth :  thou  shalt  not  bow  down  thyself  to  them,  nor 
serve  them :  for  I  the  Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous  God, 
visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children 
unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate 
me ;  and  shewing  mercy  unto  thousands  of  them  that 
love  me  and  keep  my  commandments. 

116 


117 

3-  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God 
in  vain  :  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  that 
taketh  his  name  in  vain. 

4.  Remember  the  sabbath  day,  to  keep  it  holy.  Six 
days  shalt  thou  labour,  and  do  all  thy  work  :  but  the 
seventh  day  is  the  sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God :  in  it 
thou  shalt  not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy 
daughter,  thy  manservant,  nor  thy  maidservant,  nor  thy 
cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates :  for  in  six 
days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all 
that  in  them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day :  wherefore 
the  Lord  blessed  the  sabbath  day,  and  hallowed  it. 

5.  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother :  that  thy  days 
may  be  long  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God 
giveth  thee. 

6.  Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

7.  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

8.  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

9.  Thou  shall  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy 
neighbour. 

10.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  house,  thou 

shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  wife,  nor  his  manservant, 

nor  his  maidservant,  nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  any  thing 

that  is  thy  neighbour's. 

Exodus  XX.  3-17. 

LXXV.     HEARKENING   UNTO   THE   LAW. 

AND   it  shall  come  to   pass,  if   ye  shall  hearken   dili- 
gently  unto   my  commandments   which  I  command 
you  this  day,  to  love  the  Lord  your  God,  and  to  serve 


ii8 


him  with  all  your  heart  and  with  all  your  soul,  that  I  will 
give  you  the  rain  of  your  land  in  his  due  season,  the  first 
rain  and  the  latter  rain,  that  thou  mayest  gather  in  thy 
corn,  and  thy  wine,  and  thine  oil.  And  I  will  send  grass 
in  thy  fields  for  thy  cattle,  that  thou  mayest  eat  and  be 
full. 

Take  heed  to  yourselves,  that  your  heart  be  not  de- 
ceived, and  ye  turn  aside,  and  serve  other  gods,  and  wor- 
ship them ;  and  then  the  Lord's  wrath  be  kindled  against 
you,  and  he  shut  up  the  heaven,  that  there  be  no  rain, 
and  that  the  land  yield  not  her  fruit ;  and  lest  ye  perish 
quickly  from  off  the  good  land  which  the  Lord  giveth  you. 

Therefore  shall  ye  lay  up  these  my  words  in  your  heart 
and  in  your  soul,  and  bind  them  for  a  sign  upon  your 
hand,  that  they  may  be  as  frontlets  between  your  eyes. 
And  ye  shall  teach  them  your  children,  speaking  of  them 
when  thou  sittest  in  thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest 
by  the  way,  when  thou  liest  down,  and  when  thou  risest 
up. 

And  thou  shalt  write  them  upon  the  door  posts  of  thine 
house,  and  upon  thy  gates :  that  your  days  may  be  multi- 
plied, and  the  days  of  your  children,  in  the  land  which  the 
Lord  sware  unto  your  fathers  to  give  them,  as  the  days 
of  heaven  upon  the  earth. 

For  if  ye  shall  diligently  keep  all  these  commandments 
which  I  command  you,  to  do  them,  to  love  the  Lord  your 
God,  to  walk  in  all  his  ways,  and  to  cleave  unto  him ;  then 
will  the  Lord  drive  out  all  these  nations  from  before  you, 
and  ye  shall  possess  greater  nations  and  mightier  than 
yourselves. 

Deuteronomy  xi.  13-23. 


119 


LXXVI.     TEACHING   THE   LAW. 

MY  son,  keep  my  words, 
And  lay  up  my  commandments  with  thee. 
Keep  my  commandments,  and  live ; 
And  my  law  as  the  apple  of  thine  eye. 
Bind  them  upon  thy  fingers. 
Write  them  upon  the  table  of  thine  heart. 

Proverbs  vii.  1-3. 

My  son,  keep  thy  father's  commandment, 

And  forsake  not  the  law  of  thy  mother : 

Bind  them  continually  upon  thine  heart, 

And  tie  them  about  thy  neck. 

When  thou  goest,  it  shall  lead  thee ; 

When  thou  sleepest,  it  shall  keep  thee  : 

And  when  thou  wakest,  it  shall  talk  with  thee ; 

For  the  commandment  is  a  lamp ;  and  the  law  is  light ; 

And  reproofs  of  instruction  are  the  way  of  life. 

Proverbs  vi.  20-23. 

LXXVH.     ANCIENT   LAWS. 

AND  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  saying.  Speak  unto 
all  the  congregation  of  the  children  of  Israel,  and 
say  unto  them,  Ye  shall  be  holy :  for  I  the  Lord  your  God 
am  holy. 

Ye  shall  fear  every  man  his  mother,  and  his  father,  and 
keep  my  sabbaths  :  I  am  the  Lord  your  God. 


I20 

Turn  ye  not  unto  idols,  nor  make  to  yourselves  molten 
gods :  I  am  the  Lord  your  God. 

And  if  ye  offer  a  sacrifice  of  peace  offerings  unto  the 
Lord,  ye  shall  offer  it  at  your  own  will.  It  shall  be  eaten 
the  same  day  ye  offer  it,  and  on  the  morrow :  and  if  aught 
remain  until  the  third  day,  it  shall  be  burnt  in  the  fire. 
And  if  it  be  eaten  at  all  on  the  third  day,  it  is  abomi- 
nable;  it  shall  not  be  accepted.  Therefore  every  one 
that  eateth  it  shall  bear  his  iniquity,  because  he  hath 
profaned  the  hallowed  thing  of  the  Lord  ;  and  that  soul 
shall  be  cut  off  from  among  his  people. 

And  when  ye  reap  the  harvest  of  your  land,  thou  shalt 
not  wholly  reap  the  corners  of  thy  field,  neither  shalt  thou 
gather  the  gleanings  of  thy  harvest.  And  thou  shalt  not 
glean  thy  vineyard,  neither  shalt  thou  gather  every  grape 
of  thy  vineyard  ;  thou  shalt  leave  them  for  the  poor  and 
stranger :  I  am  the  Lord  your  God. 

Ye  shall  not  steal,  neither  deal  falsely,  neither  He  one 
to  another. 

And  ye  shall  not  swear  by  my  name  falsely,  neither 
shalt  thou  profane  the  name  of  thy  God :  I  am  the  Lord. 

Thou  shalt  not  defraud  thy  neighbour,  neither  rob  him : 
the  wages  of  him  that  is  hired  shall  not  abide  with  thee 
all  night  until  the  morning. 

Thou  shalt  not  curse  the  deaf,  nor  put  a  stumbling- 
block  before  the  blind,  but  shalt  fear  thy  God :  I  am  the 
Lord. 

Ye  shall  do  no  unrighteousness  in  judgment;  thou  shalt 
not  respect  the  person  of  the  poor,  nor  honour  the  person 
of  the  mighty  :  but  in  righteousness  shalt  thou  judge  thy 
neighbour. 


121 

Thou  shalt  not  go  up  and  down  as  a  talebearer  among 
thy  people ;  neither  shalt  thou  stand  against  the  blood  of 
thy  neighbour  :  I  am  the  Lord. 

Thou  shalt  not  hate  thy  brother  in  thine  heart:  thou 
shalt  in  any  wise  rebuke  thy  neighbour,  and  not  suffer 
sin  upon  him. 

Thou  shalt  not  avenge,  nor  bear  any  grudge  against 
the  children  of  thy  people,  but  thou  shalt  love  thy  neigh- 
bour as  thyself  :  I  am  the  Lord. 

Leviticus  xix.  1-18. 

LXXVin.     TREATMENT    OF    THE    POOR    AND 
OF    HIRED    SERVANTS. 

IF  there  be  among  you  a  poor  man  of  one  of  thy  breth- 
ren within  any  of  thy  gates  in  thy  land  which  the 
Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee,  thou  shalt  not  harden  thine 
heart,  nor  shut  thine  hand  from  thy  poor  brother:  but 
thou  shalt  open  thine  hand  wide  unto  him,  and  shalt 
surely  lend  him  sufficient  for  his  need,  in  that  which  he 
wanteth. 

Beware  that  there  be  not  a  thought  in  thy  wicked  heart, 
saying,  The  seventh  year,  the  year  of  release,  is  at  hand  ; 
and  thine  eye  be  evil  against  thy  poor  brother,  and  thou 
givest  him  nought ;  and  he  cry  unto  the  Lord  against 
thee,  and  it  be  sin  unto  thee.  Thou  shalt  surely  give  him, 
and  thine  heart  shall  not  be  grieved  when  thou  givest  unto 
him  :  because  that  for  this  thing  the  Lord  thy  God  shall 
bless  thee  in  all  thy  works,  and  in  all  that  thou  puttest 
thine  hand  unto. 


122 


For  the  poor  shall  never  cease  out  of  the  land  :  there- 
fore I  command  thee,  saying,  Thou  shalt  open  thine  hand 
wide  unto  thy  brother,  to  thy  poor,  and  to  thy  needy,  in 

thy  land. 

Deuteronomy  xv.  7-1 1. 

Thou  shalt  not  oppress  a  hired  servant  that  is  poor  and 
needy,  whether  he  be  of  thy  brethren,  or  of  thy  strangers 
that  are  in  thy  land  within  thy  gates  :  at  his  day  thou  shalt 
give  him  his  hire,  neither  shall  the  sun  go  down  upon  it ; 
for  he  is  poor,  and  setteth  his  heart  upon  it :  lest  he  cry 
against  thee  unto  the  Lord,  and  it  be  sin  unto  thee. 

Deuteronomy  xxiv.  14-15. 


LXXIX.     THE   WORD    OF   THE   LORD. 

BLESSED  are  the  undefiled  in  the  way, 
Who  walk  in  the  law  of  the  Lord. 
Blessed  are  they  that  keep  his  testimonies, 
And  Lhat  seek  him  with  the  whole  heart. 
They  also  do  no  iniquity : 
They  walk  in  his  ways. 
Thou  hast  commanded  us 
To  keep  thy  precepts  diligently. 

0  that  my  ways  were  directed 
To  keep  thy  statutes ! 

Then  shall  I  not  be  ashamed, 

When  I  have  respect  unto  all  thy  commandments. 

1  will  praise  thee  with  uprightness  of  heart. 
When  I  shall  have  learned  thy  righteous  judgments. 


123 


I  will  keep  thy  statutes  : 

O  forsake  me  not  utterly. 

Wherewithal  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his  way  ? 

By  taking  heed  thereto  according  to  thy  word. 

With  my  whole  heart  have  I  sought  thee : 

0  let  me  not  wander  from  thy  commandments. 
Thy  word  have  I  hid  in  mine  heart, 

That  I  might  not  sin  against  thee. 
Blessed  art  thou,  O  Lord  : 
Teach  me  thy  statutes. 
With  my  lips  have  I  declared 
All  the  judgments  of  thy  mouth. 

1  have  rejoiced  in  the  way  of  thy  testimonies, 
As  much  as  in  all  riches. 

I  will  meditate  in  thy  precepts. 

And  have  respect  unto  thy  ways. 

I  will  delight  myself  in  thy  statutes  : 

I  will  not  forget  thy  word. 

•    Psalm  cxix.  1-16. 


:>>»ii 


LXXX.  THE  LAW  OF  THE  LORD. 

REMOVE  from  me  the  way  of  lying : 
And  grant  me  thy  law  graciously. 
I  have  chosen  the  way  of  truth : 
Thy  judgments  have  I  laid  before  me. 
I  have  stuck  unto  thy  testimonies : 

0  Lord,  put  me  not  to  shame. 

1  will  run  the  way  of  thy  commandments, 
When  thou  shalt  enlarge  my  heart. 


124 

Teach  me,  O  Lord,  the  way  of  thy  statutes ; 

And  I  shall  keep  it  unto  the  end. 

Give  me  understanding,  and  I  shall  keep  thy  law ; 

Yea,  I  shall  observe  it  with  my  whole  heart. 

Make  me  to  go  in  the  path  of  thy  commandments ; 

For  therein  do  I  delight. 

Incline  my  heart  unto  thy  testimonies. 

And  not  to  covetousness. 

Turn  away  mine  eyes  from  beholding  vanity ; 

And  quicken  thou  me  in  thy  way. 

Stablish  thy  word  unto  thy  servant, 

Who  is  devoted  to  thy  fear. 

Turn  away  my  reproach  which  I  fear : 

For  thy  judgments  are  good. 

Behold,  I  have  longed  after  thy  precepts : 

Quicken  me  in  thy  righteousness. 

0  how  love  I  thy  law ! 

It  is  my  meditation  all  the  day. 

Thou  through  thy  commandments   hast  made  me  wisei 

than  mine  enemies : 
For  they  are  ever  with  me. 

1  have  more  understanding  than  all  my  teachers : 
For  thy  testimonies  are  my  meditation. 

I  understand  more  than  the  ancients, 

Because  I  keep  thy  precepts. 

I  have  refrained  my  feet  from  every  evil  way, 

That  I  might  keep  thy  word. 

I  have  not  departed  from  thy  judgments : 

For  thou  hast  taught  me. 

How  sweet  are  thy  words  unto  my  taste ! 

Yea,  sweeter  than  honey  to  my  mouth. 


125 

Through  thy  precepts  I  get  understanding : 

Therefore  I  hate  every  false  way. 

Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet, 

And  a  light  unto  my  path. 

I  hate  vain  thoughts  : 

But  thy  law  do  I  love. 

Thou  art  my  hiding  place  and  my  shield : 

I  hope  in  thy  word. 

Depart  from  me  ye  evil  doers ; 

For  I  will  keep  the  commandments  of  my  God. 

Uphold  me  according  unto  thy  word,  that  I  may  live : 

And  let  me  not  be  ashamed  of  my  hope. 

Hold  thou  me  up,  and  I  shall  be  safe  : 

And  I  will  have  respect  unto  thy  statutes  continually. 

Psalm  cxix.  29-40,  97-105,  113-117. 


Selecteb  p^alma. 

LXXXI.   THE  GODLY  AND  THE  UNGODLY. 

BLESSED  is  the  man  that  walketh  not  in  the  counsel 
of  the  ungodly, 
Nor  standeth  in  the  way  of  sinners, 
Nor  sitteth  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful. 
But  his  delight  is  in  the  law  of  the  Lord  ; 
And  in  his  law  doth  he  meditate  day  and  night. 
And  he  shall  be  like  a  tree  planted  by  the  rivers  of  water, 
That  bringeth  forth  his  fruit  in  his  season ; 
His  leaf  also  shall  not  wither ; 
And  whatsoever  he  doeth  shall  prosper. 
The  ungodly  are  not  so  : 

But  are  like  the  chaff  which  the  wind  driveth  away. 
Therefore  the  ungodly  shall  not  stand  in  the  judgment, 
Nor  sinners  in  the  congregation  of  the  righteous. 
For  the  Lord  knoweth  the  way  of  the  righteous : 

But  the  way  of  the  ungodly  shall  perish. 

Psalm  i.  1-6. 

Lord,  who  shall  abide  in  thy  tabernacle  ? 
Who  shall  dwell  in  thy  holy  hill  ? 
He  that  walketh  uprightly,  and  worketh  righteousness, 
And  speaketh  the  truth  in  his  heart. 
He  that  backbiteth  not  with  his  tongue, 

126 


127 

Nor  doeth  evil  to  his  neighbour, 

Nor  taketh  up  a  reproach  against  his  neighbour. 

In  whose  eyes  a  vile  person  is  contemned  ; 

But  he  honoureth  them  that  fear  the  Lord. 

He  that  sweareth  to  his  own  hurt,  and  changeth  not. 

He  that  putteth  not  out  his  money  to  usury, 

Nor  taketh  reward  against  the  innocent. 

He  that  doeth  these  things  shall  never  be  moved. 

Psalm  XV.  1-5. 

LXXXn.  GOD'S  CARE  OF  THE  GOOD  MAN. 

HE  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High 
Shall  abide  under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty. 
I  will  say  of  the  Lord,  He  is  my  refuge  and  my  fortress  ; 
My  God ;  in  him  will  I  trust. 

Surely  he  shall  deliver  thee  from  the  snare  of  the  fowler, 
And  from  the  noisome  pestilence. 
He  shall  cover  thee  with  his  feathers. 
And  under  his  wings  shalt  thou  trust : 
His  truth  shall  be  thy  shield  and  buckler. 
Thou  shalt  not  be  afraid  for  the  terror  by  night ; 
Nor  for  the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day ; 
Nor  for  the  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness; 
Nor  for  the  destruction  that  wasteth  at  noonday. 
A  thousand  shall  fall  at  thy  side. 
And  ten  thousand  at  thy  right  hand ; 
But  it  shall  not  come  nigh  thee. 
Only  with  thine  eyes  shalt  thou  behold, 
And  see  the  reward  of  the  wicked. 


128 

Because  thou  hast  made  the  Lord,  which  is  my  refuge, 

Even  the  Most  High,  thy  habitation ; 

There  shall  no  evil  befall  thee, 

Neither  shall  any  plague  come  nigh  thy  dwelling. 

For  he  shall  give  his  angels  charge  over  thee, 

To  keep  thee  in  all  thy  ways. 

They  shall  bear  thee  up  in  their  hands. 

Lest  thou  dash  thy  foot  against  a  stone. 

Thou  shalt  tread  upon  the  lion  and  adder : 

The  young  lion  and  the  dragon  shalt  thou  trample  under 

feet. 
Because  he  hath  set  his  love  upon  me,  therefore  will  I 

deliver  him : 

I  will  set  him  on  high,  because  he  hath  known  my  name. 

He  shall  call  upon  me,  and  I  will  answer  him : 

I  will  be  with  him  in  trouble ; 

I  will  deliver  him,  and  honour  him. 

With  long  life  will  I  satisfy  him. 

And  shew  him  my  salvation. 

Psalm  xci.  1-16. 

LXXXin.     THE  GOD-FEARING   MAN. 

PRAISE  ye  the  Lord. 
Blessed  is  the  man  that  feareth  the  Lord, 
That  delighteth  greatly  in  his  commandments. 
His  seed  shall  be  mighty  upon  earth : 
The  generation  of  the  upright  shall  be  blessed. 
Wealth  and  riches  shall  be  in  his  house : 
And  his  righteousness  endureth  for  ever. 


129 

Unto  the  upright  there  ariseth  light  in  the  darkness  : 

He  is  gracious,  and  full  of  compassion,  and  righteous. 

A  good  man  sheweth  favour,  and  lendeth  : 

He  will  guide  his  affairs  with  discretion. 

Surely  he  shall  not  be  moved  for  ever  : 

The  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance. 

He  shall  not  be  afraid  of  evil  tidings  : 

His  heart  is  fixed,  trusting  in  the  Lord. 

His  heart  is  established,  he  shall  not  be  afraid, 

Until  he  see  his  desire  upon  his  enemies. 

He  hath  dispersed,  he  hath  given  to  the  poor ; 

His  righteousness  endureth  for  ever ; 

His  horn  shall  be  exalted  with  honour. 

The  wicked  shall  see  it,  and  be  grieved ; 

He  shall  gnash  with  his  teeth,  and  melt  away : 

The  desire  of  the  wicked  shall  perish. 

Psalm  cxii.  i-io. 

LXXXIV.     THE    LORD    MY   SHEPHERD. 

THE  Lord  is  my  shepherd; 
I  shall  not  want. 
He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures : 
He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters. 
He  restoreth  my  soul : 

He  leadeth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness 
For  his  name's  sake. 
Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow 

of  death, 
I  will  fear  no  evil :  for  thou  art  with  me ; 

BIB.    READ.  —  9 


I30 

Thy  rod  and  thy  staff,  they  comfort  me. 

Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me 

In  the  presence  of  mine  enemies  : 

Thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil ; 

My  cup  runneth  over. 

Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of 

my  life  : 
And  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever. 

Psalm  xxiii.  i-6. 

TRUST    IN    GOD. 

I  will  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the  hills, 

From  whence  cometh  my  help. 

My  help  cometh  from  the  Lord, 

Which  made  heaven  and  earth. 

He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  be  moved : 

He  that  keepeth  thee  will  not  slumber. 

Behold,  he  that  keepeth  Israel 

Shall  neither  slumber  nor  sleep. 

The  Lord  is  thy  keeper  : 

The  Lord  is  thy  shade  upon  thy  right  hand: 

The  sun  shall  not  smite  thee  by  day, 

Nor  the  moon  by  night. 

The  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  from  all  evil  : 

Me  shall  preserve  thy  soul. 

The  Lord  shall  preserve  thy  going  out  and  thy  coming  in 

From  this  time  forth,  and  even  for  evermore. 

Psalm  cxxi.  i   8. 

In  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  put  my  trust : 
Let  me  never  be  put  to  confusion. 


131 

Deliver  me  in  thy  righteousness,  and  cause  me  to  escape  : 
IncHne  thine  ear  unto  me,  and  save  me. 
Be  thou  my  strong  habitation,  whereunto  I  may  continu- 
ally resort  : 
Thou  hast  given  commandment  to  save  me ; 
For  thou  art  my  rock  and  my  fortress. 
Deliver  me,  O  my  God,  out  of  the  hand  of  the  wicked, 
Out  of  the  hand  of  the  unrighteous  and  cruel  man. 
For  thou  art  my  hope, 

0  Lord  God  :  thou  art  my  trust  from  my  youth. 

Psalm  Ixxi.  1-5. 

Thy  righteousness  also,  O  God,  is  very  high. 

Who  hast    done  great  things  :    O   God,  who  is  like  unto 

thee! 
Thou,  which  hast  shewed  me  great  and  sore  troubles, 
Shalt  quicken  me  again. 

And  shalt  bring  me  up  again  from  the  depths  of  the  earth. 
Thou  shalt  increase  my  greatness. 
And  comfort  me  on  every  side. 

1  will  also  praise  thee  with  the  psaltery,  even  thy  truth,  O 

my  God  : 
Unto  thee  will  I  sing  with  the  harp,  O  thou   Holy  One  of 

Israel. 
My  lips  shall  greatly  rejoice  when  I  sing  unto  thee  ; 
And  my  soul,  which  thou  hast  redeemed. 
My  tongue  also  shall  talk  of  thy  righteousness  all  the  day 

long: 
For  they  are  confounded,  for  they  are  brought  unto  shame, 

that  seek  my  hurt. 

Psalm  Ixxi.  19-24. 


132 


LXXXV.     LONGING    FOR   GOD. 

AS  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks, 
So  panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God. 
My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for  the  living  God : 
When  shall  I  come  and  appear  before  God  ? 
My  tears  have  been  my  meat  day  and  night, 
While  they  continually  say  unto  me,  Where  is  thy  God? 
When  I  remember  these  things,  I  pour  out  my  soul  in  me: 
For  I  had  gone  with  the  multitude,  I  went  with  them  to  the 

house  of  God, 
With  the  voice  of  joy  and  praise,  with  a  multitude  that 

kept  holyday. 
Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul .?  and  why  art  thou 

disquieted  in  me  ? 
Hope  thou  in  God :  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him 
For  the  help  of  his  countenance. 

0  my  God,  my  soul  is  cast  down  within  me :  therefore  will 

I  remember  thee 

From  the  land  of  Jordan,  and  of  the  Hermonites,  and  from 
the  hill  Mizar. 

Deep  calleth  unto  deep  at  the  noise  of  thy  waterspouts: 

All  thy  waves  and  thy  billows  are  gone  over  me. 

Yet  the  Lord  will  command  his  lovingkindness  in  the  day- 
time. 

And  in  the  night  his  song  shall  be  with  me, 

And  my  prayer  unto  the  God  of  my  life. 

1  will  say  unto  God  my  rock,  Why  hast  thou  forgotten  me.^* 
Why  go  I  mourning  because  of  the  oppression  of  the  enemy  ? 
As  with  a  sword  in  my  bones,  mine  enemies  reproach  me ; 


133 

While  they  say  daily  unto  me,  Where  is  thy  God  ? 
Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ?  and  why  art  thou  dis- 
quieted within  me  ? 
Hope  thou  in  God:  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him. 
Who  is  the  health  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God. 

Psalm  xlii.  i-ii. 

Judge  me,  O  God,  and  plead  my  cause  against  an  ungodly 

nation  : 
O  deliver  me  from  the  deceitful  and  unjust  man. 
For  thou  art  the  God  of  my  strength  :  why  dost  thou  cast 

me  off? 
Why  go    I    mourning   because  of  the  oppression   of  the 

enemy  ? 
O  send  out  thy  light  and  thy  truth:  let  them  lead  me; 
Let  them  bring  me  unto  thy  holy  hill,  and  to  thy  tabernacles. 
Then  will  I  go  unto  the  altar  of  God, 
Unto  God  my  exceeding  joy : 

Yea,  upon  the  harp  will  I  praise  thee,  O  God  my  God. 
Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ?  and  why  art  thou 

disquieted  within  me  ? 
Hope  in  God :  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him. 
Who  is  the  health  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God. 

Psalm  xliii.  1-5. 

LXXXVI.  THE  LONGING  OF  THE  HEART 
FOR  GOD. 

OGOD,  thou  art  my  God  ;  early  will  I  seek  thee  : 
My  soul  thirsteth  for  thee,  my  flesh  longeth  for  thee 
In  a  dry  and  thirsty  land,  where  no  water  is; 


134 

To  see  thy  power  and  thy  glory, 

So  as  I  have  seen  thee  in  the  sanctuary. 

Because  thy  lovingkindness  is  better  than  Ufe, 

My  Hps  shall  praise  thee. 

Thus  will  I  bless  thee  while  I  live : 

I  will  lift  up  my  hands  in  thy  name. 

My  soul  shall  be  satisfied  as  with  marrow  and  fatness ; 

And  my  mouth  shall  praise  thee  with  joyful  lips ; 

When  I  remember  thee  upon  my  bed, 

And  meditate  on  thee  in  the  night  watches. 

Because  thou  hast  been  my  help, 

Therefore  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  will  I  rejoice. 

My  soul  followeth  hard  after  thee : 

Thy  right  hand  upholdeth  me. 

But  those  that  seek  my  soul  to  destroy  it, 

Shall  go  into  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth. 

They  shall  fall  by  the  sword : 

They  shall  be  a  portion  for  foxes. 

But  the  king  shall  rejoice  in  God; 

Every  one  that  sweareth  by  him  shall  glory : 

But  the  mouth  of  them  that  speak  lies  shall  be  stopped. 

Psalm  Ixiii.  i-ii. 

LXXXVII.      A    PSALM    OF    TRUSTFUL    GLAD- 
NESS. 

BLESS  the  Lord,  O  my  soul : 
And  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his  holy  name. 
Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul, 
And  forget  not  all  his  benefits : 


135 

Who  f  orgiveth  all  thine  iniquities ; 
Who  healeth  all  thy  diseases ; 
Who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  destruction ; 
Who  crowneth  thee  with  lovingkindness  and  tender  mer- 
cies ; 

Who  satisfieth  thy  mouth  with  good  things ; 

So  that  thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle's. 

The  Lord  executeth  righteousness 

And  judgment  for  all  that  are  oppressed. 

He  made  known  his  ways  unto  Moses, 

His  acts  unto  the  children  of  Israel. 

The  Lord  is  merciful  and  gracious, 

Slow  to  anger,  and  plenteous  in  mercy. 

He  will  not  always  chide  : 

Neither  will  he  keep  his  anger  for  ever. 

He  hath  not  dealt  with  us  after  our  sins ; 

Nor  rewarded  us  according  to  our  iniquities. 

For  as  the  heaven  is  high  above  the  earth, 

So  great  is  his  mercy  toward  them  that  fear  him. 

As  far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west. 

So  far  hath  he  removed  our  transgressions  from  us. 

Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children, 

So  the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  him. 

For  he  knoweth  our  frame ; 

He  remembereth  that  we  are  dust. 

As  for  man,  his  days  are  as  grass : 

As  a  flower  of  the  field,  so  he  flourisheth. 

For  the  wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone ; 

And  the  place  thereof  shall  know  it  no  more. 

But  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to  ever- 
lasting upon  them  that  fear  him, 


136 

And  his  righteousness  unto  children's  children ; 

To  such  as  keep  his  covenant, 

And  to  those  that  remember  his  commandments  to   do 

them. 
The  Lord  hath  prepared  his  throne  in  the  heavens ; 
And  his  kingdom  ruleth  over  all. 
Bless  the  Lord,  ye  his  angels. 
That  excel  in  strength,  that  do  his  commandments, 
Hearkening  unto  the  voice  of  his  word. 
Bless  ye  the  Lord,  all  ye  his  hosts ; 
Ye  ministers  of  his,  that  do  his  pleasure. 
Bless  the  Lord,  all  his  works 
In  all  places  of  his  dominion : 
Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 


Psalm  ciii.  1-22. 


>>0<c 


LXXXVIIL     GOD'S  GLORY  IN  THE  UNIVERSE. 

OLORD,  our  Lord, 
How  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth ! 
Who  hast  set  thy  glory  above  the  heavens. 
Out   of   the   mouth   of    babes    and    sucklings    hast   thou 

ordained  strength 
Because  of  thine  enemies, 

That  thou  mightest  still  the  enemy  and  the  avenger. 
When  I  consider  thy  heavens,  the  work  of  thy  fingers, 
The  moon  and  the  stars,  which  thou  hast  ordained ; 
What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him  ? 
And  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest  him  ? 
For  thou  hast  made  him  a  little  lower  than  the  angels. 


137 

And  hast  crowned  him  with  glory  and  honour. 

Thou  madest  him  to  have  dominion  over  the  works  of  thy 

hands ; 
Thou  hast  put  all  things  under  his  feet : 
All  sheep  and  oxen,  yea,  and  the  beasts  of  the  field  ; 
The  fowl  of  the  air,  and  the  fish  of  the  sea, 
And  whatsoever  passeth  through  the  paths  of  the  seas. 
O  Lord,  our  Lord, 
How  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth! 

Psalm  viii.  1-9. 

LXXXIX.  THE  HEAVENS  ABOVE. 

THE  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God ; 
And  the  firmament  sheweth  his  handywork. 
Day  unto  day  uttereth  speech, 
And  night  unto  night  sheweth  knowledge. 
There  is  no  speech  nor  language, 
Where  their  voice  is  not  heard. 
Their  line  is  gone  out  through  all  the  earth, 
And  their  words  to  the  end  of  the  world. 
In  them  hath  he  set  a  tabernacle  for  the  sun. 
Which  is  as  a  bridegroom  coming  out  of  his  chamber, 
And  rejoiceth  as  a  strong  man  to  run  a  race. 
His  going  forth  is  from  the  end  of  the  heaven. 
And  his  circuit  unto  the  ends  of  it : 
And  there  is  nothing  hid  from  the  heat  thereof. 
The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  converting  the  soul: 
The   testimony   of    the    Lord   is    sure,    making  wise   the 
simple. 


138 

The  statutes  of  the  Lord  are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart: 

The  commandment  of  the  Lord  is  pure,  enlightening  the 
eyes. 

The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  clean,  enduring  for  ever : 

The  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true  and  righteous  alto- 
gether. 

More  to  be  desired  are  they  than  gold,  yea,  than  much 
fine  gold  : 

Sweeter  also  than  honey  and  the  honeycomb. 

Moreover  by  them  is  thy  servant  warned : 

And  in  keeping  of  them  there  is  great  reward. 

Who  can  understand  his  errors  ? 

Cleanse  thou  me  from  secret  faults. 

Keep  back  thy  servant  also  from  presumptuous  sins ; 

Let  them  not  have  dominion  over  me : 

Then  shall  I  be  upright,  and  I  shall  be  innocent  from  the 
great  transgression. 

Let  the  words  of  my  mouth,  and  the  meditation  of  my  heart. 

Be  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  O  Lord,  my  strength,  and  my 
redeemer. 

Psalm  xix.  1-14. 

»o>«<o« 


XC.     A   PICTURE   OF   GOD'S   CREATIVE 
POWER. 

BLESS  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 
O  Lord  my  God,  thou  art  very  great ; 
Thou  art  clothed  with  honour  and  majesty: 
Who  coverest  thyself  with  light  as  with  a  garment : 
Who  stretchest  out  the  heavens  like  a  curtain  : 


39 


f  UHIVERSTTY 


Who  layeth  the  beams  of  his  chambers  in  the  waters : 
Who  maketh  the  clouds  his  chariot : 
Who  walketh  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind : 
Who  maketh  his  angels  spirits ; 
His  ministers  a  flaming  fire  : 
Who  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth, 
That  it  should  not  be  removed  for  ever. 
Thou  coveredst  it  with  the  deep  as  with  a  garment : 
The  waters  stood  above  the  mountains. 
At  thy  rebuke  they  fled ; 

At  the  voice  of  thy  thunder  they  hasted  away. 
They  go  up  by  the  mountains ; 
They  go  down  by  the  valleys 

Unto  the  place  which  thou  hast  founded  for  them. 
Thou  hast  set  a  bound  that  they  may  not  pass  over ; 
That  they  turn  not  again  to  cover  the  earth. 
He  sendeth  the  springs  into  the  valleys, 
Which  run  among  the  hills. 
They  give  drink  to  every  beast  of  the  field  : 
The  wild  asses  quench  their  thirst. 

By  them  shall  the  fowls  of  the  heaven  have  their  habita- 
tion, 
Which  sing  among  the  branches. 
He  watereth  the  hills  from  his  chambers : 
The  earth  is  satisfied  with  the  fruit  of  thy  works. 
He  causeth  the  grass  to  grow  for  the  cattle, 
And  herb  for  the  service  of  man  : 
That  he  may  bring  forth  food  out  of  the  earth ; 
And  wine  that  maketh  glad  the  heart  of  man. 
And  oil  to  make  his  face  to  shine, 
And  bread  which  strengtheneth  man's  heart. 


I40 

The  trees  of  the  Lord  are  full  of  sap ; 

The  cedars  of  Lebanon,  which  he  hath  planted ; 

Where  the  birds  make  their  nests : 

As  for  the  stork,  the  fir  trees  are  her  house. 

The  high  hills  are  a  refuge  for  the  wild  goats ; 

And  the  rocks  for  the  conies. 

He  appointed  the  moon  for  seasons : 

The  sun  knoweth  his  going  down. 

Thou  makest  darkness,  and  it  is  night : 

Wherein  all  the  beasts  of  the  forest  do  creep  forth. 

The  young  lions  roar  after  their  prey. 

And  seek  their  meat  from  God. 

The  sun  ariseth,  they  gather  themselves  together, 

And  lay  them  down  in  their  dens. 

Man  goeth  forth  unto  his  work 

And  to  his  labour  until  the  evening. 

O  Lord,  how  manifold  are  thy  works ! 

In  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all : 

The  earth  is  full  of  thy  riches. 

So  is  this  great  and  wide  sea, 

Wherein  are  things  creeping  innumerable, 

Both  small  and  great  beasts. 

There  go  the  ships  : 

There  is  that  leviathan,  whom  thou  hast  made  to  play 

therein. 
These  wait  all  upon  thee ; 

That  thou  mayest  give  them  their  meat  in  due  season. 
That  thou  givest  them  they  gather : 
Thou  openest  thine  hand,  they  are  filled  with  good. 
Thou  hidest  thy  face,  they  are  troubled : 
Thou  takest  away  their  breath,  they  die, 


141 

And  return  to  their  dust. 

Thou  sendest  forth  thy  spirit,  they  are  created : 

And  thou  renewest  the  face  of  the  earth. 

The  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  endure  for  ever : 

The  Lord  shall  rejoice  in  his  works. 

He  looketh  on  the  earth,  and  it  trembleth : 

He  toucheth  the  hills,  and  they  smoke. 

I  will  sing  unto  the  Lord  as  long  as  I  live : 

I  will  sing  praise  to  my  God  while  I  have  my  being. 

My  meditation  of  him  shall  be  sweet : 

,1  will  be  glad  in  the  Lord. 

Let  the  sinners  be  consumed  out  of  the  earth, 

And  let  the  wicked  be  no  more. 

Bless  thou  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord. 

Psalm  civ.  1-35. 


XCL     GOD    IS   THE   GOD    OF   CREATION, 
PROVIDENCE,    AND    GRACE. 

REJOICE  in  the  Lord,  O  ye  righteous : 
For  praise  is  comely  for  the  upright. 
Praise  the  Lord  with  harp  : 
Sing  unto  him  with  the  psaltery  and  an  instrument  of  ten 

strings. 
Sing  unto  him  a  new  song ; 
Play  skilfully  with  a  loud  noise. 
For  the  word  of  the  Lord  is  right ; 
And  all  his  works  are  done  in  truth.- 
He  loveth  righteousness  and  judgment : 


142 

The  earth  is  full  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord. 
By  the  word  of  the  Lord  were  the  heavens  made ; 
And  all  the  host  of  them  by  the  breath  of  his  mouth. 
He  gathereth  the  waters  of  the  sea  together  as  a  heap  : 
He  layeth  up  the  depth  in  storehouses. 
Let  all  the  earth  fear  the  Lord  : 

Let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  stand  in  awe  of  him. 
For  he  spake,  and  it  was  done ; 
He  commanded,  and  it  stood  fast. 

The  Lord  bringeth  the  counsel  of  the  heathen  to  nought : 
He  maketh  the  devices  of  the  people  of  none  effect. 
The  counsel  of  the  Lord  standeth  for  ever. 
The  thoughts  of  his  heart  to  all  generations. 
Blessed  is  the  nation  whose  God  is  the  Lord  ; 
And  the  people  whom  he  hath  chosen  for  his  own  inheri- 
tance. 
The  Lord  looketh  from  heaven ; 
He  beholdeth  all  the  sons  of  men. 
From  the  place  of  his  habitation  he  looketh, 
Upon  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth. 
He  fashioneth  their  hearts  alike ; 
He  considereth  all  their  works. 
There  is  no  king  saved  by  the  multitude  of  a  host : 
A  mighty  man  is  not  delivered  by  much  strength. 
A  horse  is  a  vain  thing  for  safety : 
Neither  shall  he  deliver  any  by  his  great  strength. 
Behold,  the  eye  of  the  Lord  is  upon  them  that  fear  him, 
Upon  them  that  hope  in  his  mercy ; 
To  deliver  their  soul  from  death, 
And  to  keep  them  alive  in  famine. 
Our  soul  waiteth  for  the  Lord  : 


143 


He  is  our  help  and  our  shield. 
For  our  heart  shall  rejoice  in  him, 
Because  we  have  trusted  in  his  holy  name. 
Let  thy  mercy,  O  Lord,  be  upon  us, 
According  as  we  hope  in  thee. 


3j«=;c 


Psalm  xxxiii.  1-22. 


XCIL     AN    ELEGY. 

I   SAID,  I  will  take  heed  to  my  ways,  that  I  sin  not  with 
my  tongue  : 
I  will  keep  my  mouth  with  a  bridle. 
While  the  wicked  is  before  me. 
I   was  dumb  with  silence,  I   held  my  peace,  even  from 

good; 
And  my  sorrow  was  stirred. 
My  heart  was  hot  within  me ; 
While  I  was  musing  the  fire  burned : 
Then  spake  I  with  my  tongue, 
Lord,  make  me  to  know  mine  end. 
And  the  measure  of  my  days,  what  it  is ; 
That  I  may  know  how  frail  I  am. 
Behold,  thou  hast  made  my  days  as  a  handbreadth ; 
And  mine  age  is  as  nothing  before  thee  : 
Verily  every  man  at  his  best  state  is  altogether  vanity. 
Surely  every  man  walketh  in  a  vain  shew  : 
Surely  they  are  disquieted  in  vain  : 
He  heapeth  up  riches,  and  knoweth  not  who  shall  gather 

them. 
And  now,  Lord,  what  wait  I  for  ? 


144 

My  hope  is  in  thee. 

DeUver  me  from  all  my  transgressions : 

Make  me  not  the  reproach  of  the  foolish. 

I  was  dumb,  I  opened  not  my  mouth ; 

Because  thou  didst  it. 

Remove  thy  stroke  away  from  me : 

I  am  consumed  by  the  blow  of  thine  hand. 

When  thou  with  rebukes  dost  correct  man  for  iniquity, 

Thou  makest  his  beauty  to  consume  away  like  a  moth : 

Surely  every  man  is  vanity. 

Hear  my  prayer,  O  Lord,  and  give  ear  unto  my  cry ; 

Hold  not  thy  peace  at  my  tears  : 

For  I  am  a  stranger  with  thee. 

And  a  sojourner,  as  all  my  fathers  were. 

O  spare  me,  that  I  may  recover  strength. 

Before  I  go  hence,  and  be  no  more. 

Psalm  xxxix.  1-13. 

»o><Koc 

XCni.     THE    PRAYER   OF    MOSES. 

LORD,  thou  hast  been    our  dwellingplace  in  all  gen- 
erations. 
Before  the  mountains  were  brought  forth. 
Or  ever  thou  hadst  formed  the  earth  and  the  world, 
Even  from  everlasting  to  everlasting,  thou  art  God. 
Thou  turnest  man  to  destruction  ; 
And  sayest,  Return,  ye  children  of  men. 
For  a  thousand  years  in  thy  sight 
Are  but  as  yesterday  when  it  is  past. 
And  as  a  watch  in  the  night. 


145 

Thou  carriest  them  away  as  with  a  flood ;  they  are  as  a  sleep : 

In  the  morning  they  are  Uke  grass  which  groweth  up. 

In  the  morning  it  flourisheth,  and  groweth  up  ; 

In  the  evening  it  is  cut  down,  and  withereth. 

For  we  are  consumed  by  thine  anger, 

And  by  thy  wrath  are  we  troubled. 

Thou  hast  set  our  iniquities  before  thee, 

Our  secret  sins  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance. 

For  all  our  days  are  passed  away  in  thy  wrath : 

We  spend  our  years  as  a  tale  that  is  told. 

The  days  of  our  years  are  threescore  years  and  ten ; 

And  if  by  reason  of  strength  they  be  fourscore  years, 

Yet  is  their  strength  labour  and  sorrow ; 

For  it  is  soon  cut  off,  and  we  fly  away. 

Who  knoweth  the  power  of  thine  anger  ? 

Even  according  to  thy  fear,  so  is  thy  wrath. 

So  teach  us  to  number  our  days, 

That  we  may  apply  our  hearts  unto  wisdom. 

Return,  O  Lord,  how  long  ? 

And  let  it  repent  thee  concerning  thy  servants. 

O  satisfy  us  early  with  thy  mercy ; 

That  we  may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  our  days. 

Make  us  glad  according  to  the  days  wherein  thou   hast 

afflicted  us. 
And  the  years  wherein  we  have  seen  evil. 
Let  thy  work  appear  unto  thy  servants. 
And  thy  glory  unto  their  children. 
And  let  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us : 
And  establish  thou  the  work  of  our  hands  upon  us  ; 
Yea,  the  work  of  our  hands  establish  thou  it. 

Psalm  xc.  1-17. 

BIB.    READ.  —  10 


146 


XCIV.     A   PRAYER  FOR   INSTRUCTION  AND 

FORGIVENESS. 

UNTO  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul. 
O  my  God,  I  trust  in  thee :  let  me  not  be  ashamed. 
Let  not  mine  enemies  triumph  over  me. 
Yea,  let  none  that  wait  on  thee  be  ashamed : 
Let  them  be  ashamed  which  transgress  without  cause. 
Shew  me  thy  ways,  O  Lord  ; 
Teach  me  thy  paths. 
Lead  me  in  thy  truth,  and  teach  me : 
For  thou  art  the  God  of  my  salvation; 
On  thee  do  I  wait  all  the  day. 

Remember,  O  Lord,  thy  tender  mercies  and  thy  loving- 
kindnesses  ; 
For  they  have  been  ever  of  old. 

Remember  not  the  sins  of  my  youth,  nor  my  transgressions : 
According  to  thy  mercy  remember  thou  me 
For  thy  goodness'  sake,  O  Lord. 
Good  and  upright  is  the  Lord  : 
Therefore  will  he  teach  sinners  in  the  way. 
The  meek  will  he  guide  in  judgment: 
And  the  meek  will  he  teach  his  way. 
All  the  paths  of  the  Lord  are  mercy  and  truth 
Unto  such  as  keep  his  covenant  and  his  testimonies. 
For  thy  name's  sake,  O  Lord,  pardon  mine  iniquity ; 
For  it  is  great. 

What  man  is  he  that  feareth  the  Lord  ? 
Him  shall  he  teach  in  the  way  that  he  shall  choose. 
His  soul  shall  dwell  at  ease ; 


147 

And  his  seed  shall  inherit  the  earth. 

The  secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  him; 

And  he  will  shew  them  his  covenant. 

Mine  eyes  are  ever  toward  the  Lord  ; 

For  he  shall  pluck  my  feet  out  of  the  net. 

Turn  thee  unto  me,  and  have  mercy  upon  me ; 

For  I  am  desolate  and  afflicted. 

The  troubles  of  my  heart  are  enlarged : 

O  bring  thou  me  out  of  my  distresses. 

Look  upon  mine  affliction  and  my  pain ; 

And  forgive  all  my  sins. 

Consider  mine  enemies,  for  they  are  many ; 

And  they  hate  me  with  cruel  hatred. 

O  keep  my  soul,  and  deliver  me : 

Let  me  not  be  ashamed  ;  for  I  put  my  trust  in  thee. 

Let  integrity  and  uprightness  preserve  me ; 

For  I  wait  on  thee. 

Redeem  Israel,  O  God, 

Out  of  all  his  troubles.  Psalm  xxv.  1-22. 


>i*:< 


XCV.     PRAYER   FOR    FORGIVENESS. 

HAVE  mercy  upon  me,  O  God,  according  to  thy  loving- 
kindness  : 
According  unto  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies  blot 

out  my  transgressions. 
Wash  me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity, 
And  cleanse  me  from  my  sin. 
For  I  acknowledge  my  transgressions : 


148 

And  my  sin  is  ever  before  me. 

Against  thee,  thee  only,  have  I  sinned. 

And  done  this  evil  in  thy  sight : 

That  thou  mightest  be  justified  when  thou  speakest, 

And  be  clear  when  thou  judgest. 

Behold,  thou  desirest  truth  in  the  inward  parts : 

And  in  the  hidden  part  thou  shalt  make  me  to  know  wis- 
dom. 

Purge  me  with  hyssop,  and  I  shall  be  clean  : 

Wash  me,  and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow. 

Make  me  to  hear  joy  and  gladness  ; 

That  the  bones  which  thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice. 

Hide  thy  face  from  my  sins. 

And  blot  out  all  mine  iniquities. 

Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God ; 

And  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me. 

Cast  me  not  away  from  thy  presence ; 

And  take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me. 

Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation; 

And  uphold  me  with  thy  free  Spirit. 

Then  will  I  teach  transgressors  thy  ways ; 

And  sinners  shall  be  converted  unto  thee. 

Deliver  me  from  bloodguiltiness,  O  God,  thou  God  of  my 
salvation  : 

And  my  tongue  shall  sing  aloud  of  thy  righteousness. 

O  Lord,  open  thou  my  lips ; 

And  my  mouth  shall  shew  forth  thy  praise. 

For  thou  desirest  not  sacrifice ;  else  would  I  give  it: 

Thou  delightest  not  in  burnt  offering. 

The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit : 

A  broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou  wilt  not  despise. 


149 

Do  good  in  thy  good  pleasure  unto  Zion : 

Build  thou  the  walls  of  Jerusalem. 

Then  shalt  thou  be  pleased  with  the  sacrifices  of  right- 
eousness, with  burnt  offering  and  whole  burnt  offer- 
ing: 

Then  shall  they  offer  bullocks  upon  thine  altar. 

Psalm  11.  1-19. 


:>>•<< 


XCVI.     A   PSALM    OF    PENITENCE. 

OUT  of  the  depths  have  I  cried  unto  thee,  O  Lord. 
Lord,  hear  my  voice  : 
Let  thine  ears  be  attentive 
To  the  voice  of  my  supplications. 
If  thou,  Lord,  shouldest  mark  iniquities, 

0  Lord,  who  shall  stand  ? 

But  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee, 
That  thou  mayest  be  feared. 

1  wait  for  the  Lord,  my  soul  doth  wait, 
And  in  his  word  do  I  hope. 

My  soul  waiteth  for  the  Lord 

More  than  they  that  keep  watch  for  the  morning. 

I  say  more  than  they  that  watch  for  the  morning. 

Let  Israel  hope  in  the  Lord; 

For  with  the  Lord,  there  is  mercy, 

And  with  him  is  plenteous  redemption. 

And  he  shall  redeem  Israel 

From  all  his  iniquities. 

Psalm  cxxx.  1-8. 


150 


XCVII.     GOD'S   CARE   OF   THE   AFFLICTED. 

I   WILL  bless  the  Lord  at  all  times  : 
His  praise  shall  continually  be  in  my  mouth. 
My  soul  shall  make  her  boast  in  the  Lord  : 
The  humble  shall  hear  thereof,  and  be  glad. 

0  magnify  the  Lord  with  me, 
And  let  us  exalt  his  name  together. 

1  sought  the  Lord,  and  he  heard  me, 
And  delivered  me  from  all  my  fears. 
They  looked  unto  him,  and  were  lightened : 
And  their  faces  were  not  ashamed. 

This  poor  man  cried,  and  the  Lord  heard  him, 

And  saved  him  out  of  all  his  troubles. 

The  angel  of  the  Lord  encampeth  round  about  them  that 

fear  him. 
And  delivereth  them. 
O  taste  and  see  that  the  Lord  is  good  : 
Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  him. 

0  fear  the  Lord,  ye  his  saints : 

For  there  is  no  want  to  them  that  fear  him. 

The  young  lions  do  lack,  and  suffer  hunger : 

But  they  that  seek  the  Lord  shall  not  want  any  good 

thing. 
Come,  ye  children,  hearken  unto  me : 

1  will  teach  you  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 
What  man  is  he  that  desireth  life, 

And  loveth  many  days,  that  he  may  see  good } 

Keep  thy  tongue  from  evil. 

And  thy  lips  from  speaking  guile. 


151 

Depart  from  evil,  and  do  good ; 

Seek  peace,  and  pursue  it. 

The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  righteous, 

And  his  ears  are  open  unto  their  cry. 

The  face  of  the  Lord  is  against  them  that  do  evil. 

To  cut  off  the  remembrance  of  them  from  the  earth. 

The  righteous  cry,  and  the  Lord  heareth. 

And  delivereth  them  out  of  all  their  troubles. 

The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of  a  broken  heart ; 

And  saveth  such  as  be  of  a  contrite  spirit. 

Many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous : 

But  the  Lord  delivereth  him  out  of  them  all. 

He  keepeth  all  his  bones : 

Not  one  of  them  is  broken. 

Evil  shall  slay  the  wicked : 

And  they  that  hate  the  righteous  shall  be  desolate. 

The  Lord  redeemeth  the  soul  of  his  servants  : 

And  none  of  them  that  trust  in  him  shall  be  desolate. 

Psalm  xxxiv.  1-22. 

XCVin.      GOD'S   GOODNESS. 

TRULY  God  is  good  to  Israel, 
Even  to  such  as  are  of  a  clean  heart. 
But  as  for  me,  my  feet  were  almost  gone ; 
My  steps  had  well  nigh  sHpped. 
For  I  was  envious  at  the  foolish, 
When  I  saw  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked. 
For  there  are  no  bands  in  their  death  : 
But  their  strength  is  firm. 


152 

They  are  not  in  trouble  as  other  men ; 

Neither  are  they  plagued  like  other  men. 

Therefore  pride  compasseth  them  about  as  a  chain  ; 

Violence  covereth  them  as  a  garment. 

Their  eyes  stand  out  with  fatness  : 

They  have  more  than  heart  could  wish. 

They  are  corrupt,  and  speak  wickedly  concerning  oppres- 
sion : 

They  speak  loftily. 

They  set  their  mouth  against  the  heavens, 

And  their  tongue  walketh  through  the  earth. 

Therefore  his  people  return  hither : 

And  waters  of  a  full  cup  are  wrung  out  to  them. 

And  they  say,  How  doth  God  know  ? 

And  is  there  knowledge  in  the  Most  High  ? 

Behold,  these  are  the  ungodly. 

Who  prosper  in  the  world  ;  they  increase  in  riches. 

Verily  I  have  cleansed  my  heart  in  vain, 

And  washed  my  hands  in  innocency. 

For  all  the  day  long  have  I  been  plagued, 

And  chastened  every  morning. 

If  I  say,  I  will  speak  thus  ; 

Behold,  I  should  offend  against  the  generation  of  thy 
children. 

When  I  thought  to  know  this. 

It  was  too  painful  for  me  ; 

Until  I  went  into  the  sanctuary  of  God ; 

Then  understood  I  their  end. 

Surely  thou  didst  set  them  in  slippery  places : 

Thou  castedst  them  down  into  destruction. 

How  are  they  brought  into  desolation,  as  in  a  moment ! 


153 

They  are  utterly  consumed  with  terrors. 

As  a  dream  when  one  awaketh ; 

So,  O  Lord,  when  thou  awakest,  thou  shalt  despise  their 

image. 
Thus  my  heart  was  grieved. 
So  fooUsh  was  I,  and  ignorant : 
I  was  as  a  beast  before  thee. 
Nevertheless  I  am  continually  with  thee  : 
Thou  hast  holden  me  by  my  right  hand. 
Thou  shalt  guide  me  with  thy  counsel, 
And  afterward  receive  me  to  glory. 
Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee  ? 

And  there  is  none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee. 
My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth  : 
But  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  for 

ever. 

But  it  is  good  for  me  to  draw  near  to  God  : 

I  have  put  my  trust  in  the  Lord  God,  that  I  may  declare 

all  thy  works. 

Psalm  Ixxiii.  1-28. 


XCIX.    PRAISE   THE   LORD. 

PRAISE  ye  the  Lord. 
I  will  praise  the  Lord  with  my  whole  heart. 
In  the  assembly  of  the  upright,  and  in  the  congregation. 
The  works  of  the  Lord  are  great, 
Sought  out  of  all  them  that  have  pleasure  therein. 
His  work  is  honorable  and  glorious  : 
And  his  righteousness  endureth  for  ever. 


154 

He  hath  made  his  wonderful  works  to  be  remembered : 
The  Lord  is  gracious  and  full  of  compassion. 
He  hath  given  meat  unto  them  that  fear  him : 
He  will  ever  be  mindful  of  his  covenant. 
He  hath  shewed  his  people  the  power  of  his  works, 
That  he  may  give  them  the  heritage  of  the  heathen. 
The  works  of  his  hands  are  verity  and  judgment ; 
All  his  commandments  are  sure. 
They  stand  fast  for  ever  and  ever, 
And  are  done  in  truth  and  uprightness. 
He  sent  redemption  unto  his  people  : 
He  hath  commanded  his  covenant  for  ever : 
Holy  and  reverend  is  his  name. 
The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom  : 
A  good  understanding  have  all  they  that  do  his  command- 
ments : 
His  praise  endureth  for  ever. 

Psalm  cxi.  i-io. 

God  be  merciful  unto  us,  and  bless  us ; 

And  cause  his  face  to  shine  upon  us ; 

That  thy  way  may  be  known  upon  earth, 

Thy  saving  health  among  all  nations. 

Let  the  people  praise  thee,  O  God ; 

Let  all  the  people  praise  thee. 

O  let  the  nations  be  glad  and  sing  for  joy : 

For  thou  shalt  judge  the  people  righteously, 

And  govern  the  nations  upon  earth. 

Let  the  people  praise  thee,  O  God ; 

Let  all  the  people  praise  thee. 

Then  shall  the  earth  yield  her  increase ; 


155 

And  God,  even  our  own  God,  shall  bless  us. 

God  shall  bless  us  ; 

And  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  fear  him. 

Psalm  Ixvii.  1-7. 

C     SONGS   OF   PRAISE. 

OSING  unto  the  Lord  a  new  song ; 
For  he  hath  done  marvellous  things : 
His  right  hand,  and  his  holy  arm,  hath  gotten  him  the 

victory. 
The  Lord  hath  made  known  his  salvation  : 
His  righteousness  hath  he  openly  shewed  in  the  sight  of 

the  heathen. 
He  hath  remembered  his  mercy  and  his  truth  toward  the 

house  of  Israel : 
All  the  ends  of  the  earth  have  seen  the  salvation  of  our  God. 
Make  a  joyful  noise  unto  the  Lord,  all  the  earth  : 
Make  a  loud  noise,  and  rejoice,  and  sing  praise. 
Sing  unto  the  Lord  with  the  harp ; 
With  the  harp,  and  the  voice  of  a  psalm. 
With  trumpets  and  sound  of  cornet 
Make  a  joyful  noise  before  the  Lord,  the  King. 
Let  the  sea  roar,  and  the  fulness  thereof ; 
The  world,  and  they  that  dwell  therein. 
Let  the  floods  clap  their  hands : 
Let  the  hills  be  joyful  together 

Before  the  Lord  ;  for  he  cometh  to  judge  the  earth  : 
With  righteousness  shall  he  judge  the  world. 
And  the  people  with  equity.  P^^l^  ^^^...  ^_^ 


156 

Make  a  joyful  noise  unto  the  Lord,  all  ye  lands. 

Serve  the  Lord  with  gladness : 

Come  before  his  presence  with  singing. 

Know  ye  that  the  Lord  he  is  God : 

It  is  he  that  hath  made  us,  and  not  we  ourselves  ; 

We  are  his  people,  and  the  sheep  of  his  pasture. 

Enter  into  his  gates  with  thanksgiving, 

And  into  his  courts  with  praise : 

Be  thankful  unto  him,  and  bless  his  name. 

For  the  Lord  is  good  ;  his  mercy  is  everlasting ; 

And  his  truth  endureth  to  all  generations. 

Psalm  c.  1-5. 

CL      THE    PRAISE   OF    GOD    FOR    BLESSINGS. 

PRAISE  waiteth  for  thee,  O  God,  in  Zion  : 
And  unto  thee  shall  the  vow  be  performed. 
O  thou  that  hearest  prayer. 
Unto  thee  shall  all  flesh  come. 
Iniquities  prevail  against  me : 

As  for  our  transgressions,  thou  shalt  purge  them  away. 
Blessed  is  the  man  whom  thou  choosest,  and  causest  to 

approach  unto  thee,  that  he  may  dwell  in  thy  courts  : 
We  shall  be  satisfied  with  the  goodness  of  thy  house,  even 

of  thy  holy  temple. 
By  terrible  things  in  righteousness  wilt  thou  answer  us,  O 

God  of  our  salvation  ; 
Who  art  the  confidence  of  all  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and 

of  them  that  are  afar  off  upon  the  sea : 
Which  by  his  strength  sctteth  fast  the  mountains; 


157 

Being  girded  with  power : 

Which  stilleth  the  noise  of  the  seas,  the  noise  of  their  waves, 

And  the  tumult  of  the  people. 

They  also  that  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  are  afraid  at 

thy  tokens  : 
Thou  makest  the  outgoings  of  the  morning  and  evening  to 

rejoice. 
Thou  visitest  the  earth,  and  waterest  it : 
Thou  greatly  enrichest  it 
With  the  river  of  God,  which  is  full  of  water : 
Thou  preparest  them  corn,  when  thou   hast  so   provided 

for  it. 
Thou  waterest  the  ridges  thereof  abundantly  :  thou  settlest 

the  furrows  thereof : 
Thou  makest  it  soft  with  showers  : 
Thou  blessest  the  springing  thereof. 
Thou  crownest  the  year  with  thy  goodness ; 
And  thy  paths  drop  fatness. 
They  drop  upon  the  pastures  of  the  wilderness : 
And  the  little  hills  rejoice  on  every  side. 
The  pastures  are  clothed  with  flocks ; 
The  valleys  also  are  covered  over  with  dorn  ; 
They  shout  for  joy,  they  also  sing. 

Psalm  Ixv.  1-13. 

CII.     GOD'S   WAYS. 

HEAR  this,  all  ye  people ; 
Give  ear,  all  ye  inhabitants  of  the  world : 
Both  low  and  high,  rich  and  poor,  together. 


158 

My  mouth  shall  speak  of  wisdom ; 

And  the  meditation  of  my  heart  shall  be  of  understanding. 

I  will  incline  mine  ear  to  a  parable : 

I  will  open  my  dark  saying  upon  the  harp. 

Wherefore  should  I  fear  in  the  days  of  evil, 

When  the  iniquity  of  my  heels  shall  compass  me  about  ? 

They  that  trust  in  their  wealth, 

And  boast  themselves  in  the  multitude  of  their  riches ; 

None  of  them  can  by  any  means  redeem  his  brother, 

Nor  give  to  God  a  ransom  for  him : 

(For  the  redemption  of  their  soul  is  precious, 

And  it  ceaseth  for  ever :  ) 

That  he  should  still  live  for  ever, 

And  not  see  corruption. 

For  he  seeth  that  wise  men  die. 

Likewise  the  fool  and  the  brutish  person  perish, 

And  leave  their  wealth  to  others. 

Their  inward  thought  is  that  their  houses  shall  continue 

for  ever. 
And  their  dwellingplaces  to  all  generations ; 
They  call  their  lands  after  their  own  names. 
Nevertheless  man  being  in  honour  abideth  not : 
He  is  like  the  beasts  that  perish. 
This  their  way  is  their  folly  : 
Yet  their  posterity  approve  their  sayings. 
Like  sheep  they  are  laid  in  the  grave ; 
Death  shall  feed  on  them ; 
And  the  upright   shall  have  dominion  over  them  in  the 

morning ; 
And  their  beauty  shall  consume 
In  the  grave  from  their  dwelling. 


159 

But  God  will  redeem  my  soul  from  the  power  of  the  grave : 

For  he  shall  receive  me. 

Be  not  thou  afraid  when  one  is  made  rich, 

When  the  glory  of  his  house  is  increased ; 

For  when  he  dieth  he  shall  carry  nothing  away : 

His  glory  shall  not  descend  after  him. 

Though  while  he  lived  he  blessed  his  soul, 

(And  men  will  praise  thee,  when  thou  doest  well  to  thyself,) 

He  shall  go  to  the  generation  of  his  fathers ; 

They  shall  never  see  light. 

Man  that  is  in  honour,  and  understandeth  not, 

Is  like  the  beasts  that  perish. 

Psalm  xlix.  1-20. 


3>»<C 


CHI.  GOD  OUR  STRENGTH  AND  SALVATION. 

TRULY  my  soul  waiteth  upon  God  : 
From  him  cometh  my  salvation. 
He  only  is  my  rock  and  my  salvation  ; 
He  is  my  defence ;   I  shall  not  be  greatly  moved. 
How  long  will  ye  imagine  mischief  against  a  man  ? 
Ye  shall  be  slain  all  of  you :  as  a  bowing  wall  shall  ye  be, 

and  as  a  tottering  fence. 
They  only  consult  to  cast  him  down  from  his  excellency  . 

they  delight  in  lies  : 
They  bless  with  their  mouth,  but  they  curse  inwardly. 
My  soul,  wait  thou  only  upon  God ; 
For  my  expectation  is  from  him. 
He  only  is  my  rock  and  my  salvation : 
He  is  my  defence ;   I  shall  not  be  moved. 


i6o 

In  God  is  my  salvation  and  my  glory  : 

The  rock  of  my  strength,  and  my  refuge,  is  in  God. 

Trust  in  him  at  all  times ;  ye  people. 

Pour  out  your  heart  before  him  : 

God  is  a  refuge  for  us. 

Surely  men  of  low  degree  are  vanity,  and  men  of  high  de- 
gree are  a  lie : 

To  be  laid  in  the  balance,  they  are  altogether  lighter  than 
vanity. 

Trust  not  in  oppression,  and  become  not  vain  in  robbery : 

If  riches  increase,  set  not  your  heart  upon  them. 

God  hath  spoken  once ;  twice  have  I  heard  this ; 

That  power  belongeth  unto  God. 

Also  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  belongeth  mercy : 

For  thou  renderest  to  every  man  according  to  his  work. 

Psalm  Ixii.  1-12. 

CIV.     VICTORY    IN    TROUBLE. 

1    CRIED  unto  God  with  my  voice, 
Even  unto  God  with  my  voice ;  and  he  gave  ear  unto 
me. 
In  the  day  of  my  trouble  I  sought  the  Lord : 
My  sore  ran  in  the  night,  and  ceased  not : 
My  soul  refused  to  be  comforted. 
I  remembered  God,  and  was  troubled : 
I  complained,  and  my  spirit  was  overwhelmed. 
Thou  boldest  mine  eyes  waking : 
I  am  so  troubled  that  I  cannot  speak. 
I  have  considered  the  days  of  old, 


i6i 


The  years  of  ancient  times. 

I  call  to  remembrance  my  song  in  the  night : 

I  commune  with  mine  own  heart :  and  my  spirit  made  dili- 
gent search. 

Will  the  Lord  cast  off  for  ever  ? 

And  will  he  be  favourable  no  more  ? 

Is  his  mercy  clean  gone  for  ever.? 

Doth  his  promise  fail  for  evermore  ? 

Hath  God  forgotten  to  be  gracious  ? 

Hath  he  in  anger  shut  up  his  tender  mercies  ? 

And  I  said,  This  is  my  infirmity  : 

But  I  will  remember  the  years  of  the  right  hand  of  the 
Most  High. 

I  will  remember  the  works  of  the  Lord  : 

Surely  I  will  remember  thy  wonders  of  old. 

I  will  meditate  also  of  all  thy  work, 

And  talk  of  thy  doings. 

Thy  way,  O  God,  is  in  the  sanctuary : 

Who  is  so  great  a  God  as  our  God  } 

Thou  art  the  God  that  doest  wonders : 

Thou  hast  declared  thy  strength  among  the  people. 

Thou  hast  with  thine  arm  redeemed  thy  people, 

The  sons  of  Jacob  and  Joseph. 

The  waters  saw  thee,  O  God, 

The  waters  saw  thee  ;  they  were  afraid  : 

The  depths  also  were  troubled. 

The  clouds  poured  out  water : 

The  skies  sent  out  a  sound : 

Thine  arrows  also  went  abroad. 

The  voice  of  thy  thunder  was  in  the  heaven : 

The  lightnings  lightened  the  world : 

BIB.    READ.  —  I  I 


1 62 


The  earth  trembled  and  shook. 
Thy  way  is  in  the  sea, 
And  thy  path  in  the  great  waters, 
And  thy  footsteps  are  not  known. 
Thou  leddest  thy  people  like  a  flock 
By  the  hand  of  Moses  and  Aaron. 

Psalm  Ixxvii.  1-20. 

CV.     THE   HOUSE   OF   THE    LORD. 

I  WAS  glad  when  they  said  unto  me, 
Let  us  go  into  the  house  of  the  Lord. 
Our  feet  shall  stand 
Within  thy  gates,  O  Jerusalem. 
Jerusalem  is  builded 
As  a  city  that  is  compact  together : 
Whither  the  tribes  go  up,  the  tribes  of  the  Lord, 
Unto  the  testimony  of  Israel, 
To  give  thanks  unto  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
For  there  are  set  thrones  of  judgment, 
The  thrones  of  the  house  of  David. 
Pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem  : 
They  shall  prosper  that  love  thee. 
Peace  be  within  thy  walls. 
And  prosperity  within  thy  palaces. 
For  my  brethren  and  companions'  sakes, 
I  will  now  say,  Peace  be  within  thee. 
Because  of  the  house  of  the  Lord  our  God 
I  will  seek  thy  good. 

Psalm  cxxii.  1-9. 


i63 

How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles, 

O  Lord  of  hosts  ! 

My  soul  longeth,  yea,  even  f  ainteth  for  the  courts  of  the  Lord  : 

My  heart  and  my  flesh  crieth  out  for  the  living  God. 

Yea,  the  sparrow  hath  found  a  house, 

And  the  swallow  a  nest  for  herself,  where  she  may  lay  her 

young. 
Even  thine  altars,  O  Lord  of  hosts, 
My  King,  and  my  God. 
Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  house : 
They  will  be  still  praising  thee. 
Blessed  is  the  man  whose  strength  is  in  thee ; 
In  whose  heart  are  the  ways  of  them. 
Who  passing  through  the  valley  of  Baca 
Make  it  a  well ; 
The  rain  also  filleth  the  pools. 
They  go  from  strength  to  strength. 
Every  one  of  them  in  Zion  appeareth  before  God, 

0  Lord  God  of  hosts,  hear  my  prayer : 
Give  ear,  O  God  of  Jacob. 

Behold,  O  God  our  shield. 

And  look  upon  the  face  of  thine  anointed. 

For  a  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand. 

1  had  rather  be  a  doorkeeper  in  the  house  of  my  God, 
Than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. 

For  the  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  shield: 
The  Lord  will  give  grace  and  glory : 

No  good  thing  will  he  withhold  from  them  that  walk  up- 
rightly. 
O  Lord  of  hosts, 
Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  thee.     Psalm  Ixxxiv.  1-12. 


1 64 


CVI.     EXTOL   THE    LORD. 

I  WILL  extol  thee,  my  God,  O  King; 
And  I  will  bless  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever. 
Every  day  will  I  bless  thee ; 
And  I  will  praise  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever. 
Great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  to  be  praised ; 
And  his  greatness  is  unsearchable. 
One  generation  shall  praise  thy  works  to  another, 
And  shall  declare  thy  mighty  acts. 
I  will  speak  of  the  glorious  honour  of  thy  majesty, 
And  of  thy  wondrous  works. 

And  men  shall  speak  of  the  might  of  thy  terrible  acts : 
And  I  will  declare  thy  greatness. 
They  shall  abundantly  utter  the   memory   of   thy   great 

goodness. 
And  shall  sing  of  thy  righteousness. 
The  Lord  is  gracious,  and  full  of  compassion ; 
Slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  mercy. 
The  Lord  is  good  to  all : 
And  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works. 
All  thy  works  shall  praise  thee,  O  Lord  ; 
And  thy  saints  shall  bless  thee. 
They  shall  speak  of  the  glory  of  thy  kingdom, 
And  talk  of  thy  power  ; 

To  make  known  to  the  sons  of  men  his  mighty  acts, 
And  the  glorious  majesty  of  his  kingdom. 
Thy  kingdom  is  an  everlasting  kingdom, 
And  thy  dominion  endureth  throughout  all  generations. 
The  Lord  upholdeth  all  that  fall, 


i65 

And  raiseth  up  all  those  that  be  bowed  down. 

The  eyes  of  all  wait  upon  thee ; 

And  thou  givest  them  their  meat  in  due  season. 

Thou  openest  thine  hand, 

And  satisfiest  the  desire  of  every  living  thing. 

The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways, 

And  holy  in  all  his  works. 

The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  all  them  that  call  upon  him, 

To  all  that  call  upon  him  in  truth. 

He  will  fulfil  the  desire  of  them  that  fear  him : 

He  also  will  hear  their  cry,  and  will  save  them. 

The  Lord  preserveth  all  them  that  love  him : 

But  all  the  wicked  will  he  destroy. 

My  mouth  shall  speak  the  praise  of  the  Lord  : 

And  let  all  flesh  bless  his  holy  name  for  ever  and  ever. 

Psalm  cxlv.  1-2 1. 

CVII.     FROM    DAVID'S    PSALM    OF    THANKS- 
GIVING. 

SING  unto  the  Lord,  all  the  earth ;  shew  forth  from 
day  to  day  his  salvation. 

Declare  his  glory  among  the  heathen ;  his  marvellous 
works  among  all  nations. 

For  great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  to  be  praised :  he 
also  is  to  be  feared  above  all  gods. 

For  all  the  gods  of  the  people  are  idols :  but  the  Lord 
made  the  heavens. 

Glory  and  honour  are  in  his  presence  ;  strength  and 
gladness  are  in  his  place. 


i66 

Give  unto  the  Lord,  ye  kindreds  of  the  people,  give 
unto  the  Lord  glory  and  strength. 

Give  unto  the  Lord  the  glory  due  unto  his  name : 
bring  an  offering,  and  come  before  him :  worship  the 
Lord  in  the  beauty  of  holiness. 

Fear  before  him,  all  the  earth :  the  world  also  shall  be 
stable,  that  it  be  not  moved. 

Let  the  heavens  be  glad,  and  let  the  earth  rejoice:  and 
let  men  say  among  the  nations.  The  Lord  reigneth. 

Let  the  sea  roar,  and  the  fulness  thereof :  let  the  fields 
rejoice,  and  all  that  is  therein. 

Then  shall  the  trees  of  the  wood  sing  out  at  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Lord,  because  he  cometh  to  judge  the  earth. 

O  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord  ;  for  he  is  good ;  for  his 
mercy  endureth  for  ever. 

And  say  ye,  Save  us,  O  God  of  our  salvation,  and 
gather  us  together,  and  deliver  us  from  the  heathen,  that 
we  may  give  thanks  to  thy  holy  name,  and  glory  in  thy 
praise. 

Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  for  ever  and  ever. 
And  all  the  people  said,  Amen,  and  praised  the  Lord. 

I  Chronicles  xvi.  23-36. 


jfrom  iproverb^^ 

CVIII.     STRIVING   AFTER   WISDOM. 

MY  son,  if  thou  wilt  receive  my  words, 
And  hide  my  commandments  with  thee ; 
So  that  thou  incUne  thine  ear  unto  wisdom, 
And  apply  thine  heart  to  understanding ; 
Yea,  if  thou  criest  after  knowledge, 
And  liftest  up  thy  voice  for  understanding ; 
If  thou  seekest  her  as  silver. 
And  searchest  for  her  as  for  hid  treasures ; 
Then  shalt  thou  understand  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
And  find  the  knowledge  of  God. 
For  the  Lord  giveth  wisdom : 
Out  of  his  mouth  cometh  knowledge  and  understanding. 

Proverbs  ii.  i-6. 

My  son,  forget  not  my  law ; 
But  let  thine  heart  keep  my  commandments : 
For  length  of  days,  and  long  life. 
And  peace,  shall  they  add  to  thee. 
Let  not  mercy  and  truth  forsake  thee : 
Bind  them  about  thy  neck ; 
Write  them  upon  the  table  of  thine  heart : 
So  shalt  thou  find  favour  and  good  understanding 
In  the  sight  of  God  and  man. 

167 


1 68 

Trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  thine  heart ; 

And  lean  not  unto  thine  own  understanding. 

In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him, 

And  he  shall  direct  thy  paths. 

Be  not  wise  in  thine  own  eyes : 

Fear  the  Lord,  and  depart  from  evil. 

Honour  the  Lord  with  thy  substance, 

And  with  the  firstfruits  of  all  thine  increase : 

So  shall  thy  barns  be  filled  with  plenty, 

And  thy  presses  shall  burst  out  with  new  wine. 

My  son,  despise  not  the  chastening  of  the  Lord  ; 

Neither  be  weary  of  his  correction  : 

For  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  correcteth ; 

Even  as  a  father  the  son  in  whom  he  delighteth. 

Happy  is  the  man  that  findeth  wisdom. 

And  the  man  that  getteth  understanding : 

For  the  merchandise  of  it  is  better  than  the  merchandise 

of  silver, 
And  the  gain  thereof  than  fine  gold. 


Proverbs  iii.  1-7,  9-14. 


5XK< 


CIX.     COUNSEL   AND   WARNING. 

HEAR,  O  my  son,  and  receive  my  sayings ; 
And  the  years  of  thy  life  shall  be  many. 
I  have  taught  thee  in  the  way  of  wisdom ; 
I  have  led  thee  in  right  paths. 

When  thou  goest,  thy  steps  shall  not  be  straitened  ; 
And  when  thou  runnest,  thou  shalt  not  stumble. 
Take  fast  hold  of  instruction ; 


i69 

Let  her  not  go: 

Keep  her ;  for  she  is  thy  life. 

Enter  not  into  the  path  of  the  wicked, 

And  go  not  in  the  way  of  evil  men. 

Avoid  it,  pass  not  by  it, 

Turn  from  it,  and  pass  away. 

For  they  sleep  not,  except  they  have  done  mischief ; 

And  their  sleep  is  taken  away,  unless  they  cause  some  to  fall 

For  they  eat  the  bread  of  wickedness. 

And  drink  the  wine  of  violence. 

But  the  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light, 

That  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 

The  way  of  the  wicked  is  as  darkness : 

They  know  not  at  what  they  stumble. 

My  son,  attend  to  my  words ; 

Incline  thine  ear  unto  my  sayings. 

Let  them  not  depart  from  thine  eyes ; 

Keep  them  in  the  midst  of  thine  heart. 

For  they  are  life  unto  those  that  find  them, 

And  health  to  all  their  flesh. 

Keep  thy  heart  with  all  diligence ; 

For  out  of  it  are  the  issues  of  life. 

Put  away  from  thee  a  froward  mouth. 

And  perverse  lips  put  far  from  thee. 

Let  thine  eyes  look  right  on, 

And  let  thine  eyelids  look  straight  before  thee. 

Ponder  the  path  of  thy  feet. 

And  let  all  thy  ways  be  established. 

Turn  not  to  the  right  hand  nor  to  the  left : 

Remove  thy  foot  from  evil. 

Proverbs  iv   10-27 


I70 


ex.     CONTRASTS. 

BETTER  is  little  with  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
Than  great  treasure  and  trouble  therewith. 
Better  is  a  dinner  of  herbs  where  love  is, 
Than  a  stalled  ox  and  hatred  therewith. 
A  wrathful  man  stirreth  up  strife : 
But  he  that  is  slow  to  anger  appeaseth  strife. 
The  way  of  the  slothful  man  is  as  a  hedge  of  thorns ; 
But  the  way  of  the  righteous  is  made  plain. 
A  wise  son  maketh  a  glad  father ; 
But  a  foolish  man  despiseth  his  mother. 
Folly  is  joy  to  him  that  is  destitute  of  wisdom : 
But  a  man  of  understanding  walketh  uprightly. 
Without  counsel  purposes  are  disappointed : 
But  in  the  multitude  of  counsellors  they  are  established. 
A  man  hath  joy  by  the  answer  of  his  mouth : 
And  a  word  spoken  in  due  season,  how  good  is  it ! 
The  way  of  life  is  above  to  the  wise. 
That  he  may  depart  from  hell  beneath. 
The  Lord  will  destroy  the  house  of  the  proud : 
But  he  will  establish  the  border  of  the  widow. 
The  thoughts  of  the  wicked  are  an  abomination  to  the 

Lord  : 
But  the  words  of  the  pure  are  pleasant  words. 
He  that  is  greedy  of  gain  troubleth  his  own  house ; 
But  he  that  haceth  gifts  shall  live. 
The  heart  of  the  righteous  studieth  to  answer : 
But  the  mouth  of  the  wicked  poureth  out  evil  things. 
The  Lord  is  far  from  the  wicked  ; 


171 

But  he  heareth  the  prayer  of  the  righteous. 

The  light  of  the  eyes  rejoiceth  the  heart :  i 

And  a  good  report  maketh  the  bones  fat. 

The  ear  that  heareth  the  reproof  of  life 

Abideth  among  the  wise. 

He  that  refuseth  instruction  despiseth  his  own  soul : 

But  he  that  heareth  reproof  getteth  understanding. 

The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  instruction  of  wisdom ; 

And  before  honour  is  humility. 

Proverbs  xv.  16-33. 

CXI.     ADMONITIONS. 

HOW  much  better  is  it  to  get  wisdom  than  gold ! 
And  to  get  understanding  rather  to  be  chosen  than 
silver ! 
The  highway  of  the  upright  is  to  depart  from  evil : 
He  that  keepeth  his  way  preserveth  his  soul. 
Pride  goeth  before  destruction, 
And  a  haughty  spirit  before  a  fall. 
Better  it  is  to  be  of  an  humble  spirit  with  the  lowly, 
Than  to  divide  the  spoil  with  the  proud. 
He  that  handleth  a  matter  wisely  shall  find  good  : 
And  whoso  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  happy  is  he. 
The  wise  in  heart  shall  be  called  prudent : 
And  the  sweetness  of  the  lips  increaseth  learning. 
Understanding  is  a  wellspring  of  life  unto  him  that  hath  it : 
But  the  instruction  of  fools  is  folly. 
The  heart  of  the  wise  teacheth  his  mouth, 
And  addeth  learning  to  his  lips. 


172 

Pleasant  words  are  as  a  honeycomb, 

Sweet  to  the  soul,  and  health  to  the  bones. 

There  is  a  way  that  seemeth  right  unto  a  man  • 

But  the  end  thereof  are  the  ways  of  death. 

He  that  laboureth,  laboureth  for  himself ; 

For  his  mouth  craveth  it  of  him. 

An  ungodly  man  diggeth  up  evil : 

And  in  his  lips  there  is  as  a  burning  fire. 

A  froward  man  soweth  strife : 

And  a  whisperer  separateth  chief  friends. 

A  violent  man  enticeth  his  neighbour, 

And  leadeth  him  into  the  way  that  is  not  good. 

He  shutteth  his  eyes  to  devise  froward  things : 

Moving  his  lips  he  bringeth  evil  to  pass. 

The  hoary  head  is  a  crown  of  glory, 

If  it  be  found  in  the  way  of  righteousness. 

He  that  is  slow  to  anger  is  better  than  the  mighty ; 

And  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit  than  he  that  taketh  a  city. 

Proverbs  xvi.  16-32. 

CXn.     AGAINST   INDOLENCE   AND    STRIFE. 

SEEST  thou  a  man  wise  in  his  own  conceit  ? 
There  is  more  hope  of  a  fool  than  of  him. 
The  slothful  man  saith,  "There  is  a  lion  in  the  way; 
A  lion  is  in  the  streets." 
As  the  door  turneth  upon  his  hinges, 
So  doth  the  slothful  upon  his  bed. 
The  slothful  hideth  his  hand  in  his  bosom ; 
It  grieveth  him  to  bring  it  again  to  his  mouth. 


173 

The  sluggard  is  wiser  in  his  own  conceit 

Than  seven  men  that  can  render  a  reason. 

He  that  passeth  by,  and  meddleth  with  strife  belonging 

not  to  him, 
Is  like  one  that  taketh  a  dog  by  the  ears. 
As  a  mad  man  who  casteth  firebrands, 
Arrows,  and  death. 

So  is  the  man  that  deceiveth  his  neighbour. 
And  saith.  Am  not  I  in  sport  ? 
Where  no  wood  is,  there  the  fire  goeth  out : 
So  where  there  is  no  talebearer,  the  strife  ceaseth. 
As  coals  are  to  burning  coals,  and  wood  to  fire ; 
So  is  a  contentious  man  to  kindle  strife. 

Proverbs  xxvi.  12-21. 

CXIIL     AGAINST   VAIN    SELF-PRAISE  AND 
PRESUMPTION. 

BOAST  not  thyself  of  to  morrow ; 
For  thou  knowest  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth. 
Let  another  man  praise  thee,  and  not  thine  own  mouth  ; 
A  stranger,  and  not  thine  own  lips. 
A  stone  is  heavy,  and  the  sand  weighty ; 
But  a  fool's  wrath  is  heavier  than  them  both. 
Wrath  is  cruel,  and  anger  is  outrageous ; 
But  who  is  able  to  stand  before  envy  ? 
Open  rebuke  is  better 

Than  secret  love.     Faithful  are  the  wounds  of  a  friend , 
But  the  kisses  of  an  enemy  are  deceitful. 
The  full  soul  loatheth  a  honeycomb ; 
But  to  the  hungry  soul  every  bitter  thing  is  sweet. 


174 

As  a  bird  that  wandereth  from  her  nest, 

So  is  a  man  that  wandereth  from  his  place. 

Ointment  and  perfume  rejoice  the  heart: 

So  doth  the  sweetness  of  a  man's  friend  by  hearty  counsel. 

Thine  own  friend,  and  thy  father's  friend,  forsake  not ; 

Neither  go  into  thy  brother's  house  in  the  day  of   thy 

calamity : 
For  better  is  a  neighbour  that  is  near  than  a  brother  far  off. 
My  son,  be  wise,  and  make  my  heart  glad. 
That  I  may  answer  him  that  reproacheth  me. 
A  prudent  man  foreseeth  the  evil,  and  hideth  himself ; 
But  the  simple  pass  on,  and  are  punished. 

Proverbs  xxvii.  1-12. 

CXIV.     THE   VIRTUOUS   WOMAN. 

WHO  can  find  a  virtuous  woman  ? 
For  her  price  is  far  above  rubies. 
The  heart  of  her  husband  doth  safely  trust  in  her, 
So  that  he  shall  have  no  need  of  spoil. 
She  will  do  him  good  and  not  evil 
All  the  days  of  her  life. 
She  seeketh  wool,  and  flax, 
And  worketh  willingly  with  her  hands. 
She  is  like  the  merchants'  ships  ; 
She  bringeth  her  food  from  afar. 
She  riseth  also  while  it  is  yet  night, 
And  giveth  meat  to  her  household, 
And  a  portion  to  her  maidens. 
She  considereth  a  field,  and  buyeth  it : 
With  the  fruit  of  her  hands  she  planteth  a  vineyard. 


175 

She  girdeth  her  loins  with  strength, 

And  strengtheneth  her  arms. 

She  perceiveth  that  her  merchandise  is  good  c 

Her  candle  goeth  not  out  by  night. 

She  layeth  her  hands  to  the  spindle, 

And  her  hands  hold  the  distaff. 

She  stretcheth  out  her  hand  to  the  poor ; 

Yea,  she  reacheth  forth  her  h^nds  to  the  needy. 

She  is  not  afraid  of  the  snow  for  her  household  : 

For  all  her  household  are  clothed  with  scarlet. 

She  maketh  herself  coverings  of  tapestry  ; 

Her  clothing  is  silk  and  purple. 

Her  husband  is  known  in  the  gates, 

When  he  sitteth  among  the  elders  of  the  land. 

She  maketh  fine  linen,  and  selleth  it ; 

And  delivereth  girdles  unto  the  merchant. 

Strength  and  honour  are  her  clothing ; 

And  she  shall  rejoice  in  time  to  come. 

She  openeth  her  mouth  with  wisdom  ; 

And  in  her  tongue  is  the  law  of  kindness. 

She  looketh  well  to  the  ways  of  her  household, 

And  eateth  not  the  bread  of  idleness. 

Her  children  arise  up,  and  call  her  blessed ; 

Her  husband  also,  and  he  praiseth  her. 

Many  daughters  have  done  virtuously, 

But  thou  excellest  them  all. 

Favour  is  deceitful,  and  beauty  is  vain  : 

But  a  woman  that  feareth  the  Lord,  she  shall  be  praised. 

Give  her  of  the  fruit  of  her  hands  ; 

And  let  her  own  works  praise  her  in  the  gates. 

Proverbs  xxxi.  10-31. 


from  tbe  propbete* 

CXV.     PURITY. 

WASH   ye,  make  you  clean;    put   away  the  evil  of 
your  doings  from  before  mine  eyes ;  cease  to  do 
evil ; 

Learn  to  do  well ;  seek  judgment,  relieve  the  oppressed, 
judge  the  fatherless,  plead  for  the  widow. 

Come  now,  and  let  us  reason  together,  saith  the  Lord  : 
though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow ; 
though  they  be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool. 

If  ye  be  willing  and  obedient,  ye  shall  eat  the  good  of 
the  land : 

But  if  ye  refuse  and  rebel,  ye  shall  be  devoured  with  the 
sword :  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

Isaiah  i.  16-20. 

CXVI.     THE   VINEYARD. 

NOW  will  I   sing  to  my  well  beloved  a  song  of  my 
beloved  touching  his   vineyard.     My   well   beloved 
hath  a  vineyard  in  a  very  fruitful  hill : 

And  he  fenced  it,  and  gathered  out  ^he  stones  thereof, 
and  planted  it  with  the  choicest  vine,  and  built  a  tower  in 
the  midst  of  it,  and  also  made  a  winepress  therein  :  and  he 

176 


177 

looked  that  it  should  bring  forth  grapes,  and  it  brought 
forth  wild  grapes. 

And  now,  O  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  and  men  of  Judah, 
judge,  I  pray  you,  betwixt  me  and  my  vineyard. 

What  could  have  been  done  more  to  my  vineyard,  that 
I  have  not  done  in  it  ?  wherefore,  when  I  looked  that  it 
should  bring  forth  grapes,  brought  it  forth  wild  grapes  ? 

And  now  go  to  ;  I  will  tell  you  what  I  will  do  to  my 
vineyard  :  I  will  take  away  the  hedge  thereof,  and  it  shall 
be  eaten  up  ;  and  break  down  the  wall  thereof,  and  it 
shall  be  trodden  down  : 

And  I  will  lay  it  waste :  it  shall  not  be  pruned,  nor 
digged  ;  but  there  shall  come  up  briers  and  thorns  :  I  will 
also  command  the  clouds  that  they  rain  no  rain  upon  it. 

For  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  the  house  of 
Israel,  and  the  men  of  Judah  his  pleasant  plant  :  and  he 
looked  for  judgment,  but  behold  oppression  ;  for  righteous- 
ness, but  behold  a  cry. 

Isaiah  v.  1-7. 

CXVII.     ISRAEL'S   SONG  OF  PRAISE  FOR  DE- 
LIVERANCE. 

OLORD,  thou  art  my  God ;  I  will  exalt  thee,  I  will 
praise    thy   name ;    for   thou    hast   done    wonderful 
things ;  thy  counsels  of  old  are  faithfulness  and  truth. 

For  thou  hast  made  of  a  city  a  heap ;  of  a  defenced 
city  a  ruin  :  a  palace  of  strangers  to  be  no  city ;  it  shall 
never  be  built. 

Therefore  shall  the  strong  people  glorify  thee,  the  city 
of  the  terrible  nations  shall  fear  thee. 

BIB.    RF.AD. —  12 


178 

For  thou  hast  been  a  strength  to  the  poor,  a  strength 
to  the  needy  in  his  distress,  a  refuge  from  the  storm,  a 
shadow  from  the  heat,  when  the  blast  of  the  terrible  ones 
is  as  a  storm  against  the  wall. 

Thou  shalt  bring  down  the  noise  of  strangers,  as  the 
heat  in  a  dry  place ;  even  the  heat  with  the  shadow  of  a 
cloud :  the  branch  of  the  terrible  ones  shall  be  brought 
low. 

And  in  this  mountain  shall  the  Lord  of  hosts  make 
unto  all  people  a  feast  of  fat  things,  a  feast  of  wines  on 
the  lees,  of  fat  things  full  of  marrow,  of  wines  on  the  lees 
well  refined. 

And  he  will  destroy  in  this  mountain  the  face  of  the 
covering  cast  over  all  people,  and  the  vail  that  is  spread 
over  all  nations. 

He  will  swallow  up  death  in  victory ;  and  the  Lord  God 
will  wipe  away  tears  from  off  all  faces ;  and  the  rebuke  of 
his  people  shall  he  take  away  from  off  all  the  earth  :  for 
the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

Isaiah  xxv.  i-8. 

CXVIII.     THE  JUDGMENT  AS  REALIZING  THE 
IDEA  OF  JUSTICE. 

IN  that  day  shall  this  song  be  sung  in  the  land  of  Judah ; 
We  have  a  strong  city ;  salvation  will  God  appoint  for 
walls  and  bulwarks. 

Open  ye  the  gates,  that  the  righteous  nation  which 
keepeth  the  truth  may  enter  in. 

Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is 
stayed  on  thee :  because  he  trusteth  in  thee. 


179 

Trust  ye  in  the  Lord  for  ever :  for  in  the  Lord  JEHO- 
VAH is  everlasting  strength. 

For  he  bringeth  down  them  that  dwell  on  high;  the 
lofty  city,  he  layeth  it  low  ;  he  layeth  it  low,  even  to  the 
ground ;  he  bringeth  it  even  to  the  dust. 

The  foot  shall  tread  it  down,  even  the  feet  of  the  poor, 
and  the  steps  of  the  needy. 

The  way  of  the  just  is  uprightness :  thou,  most  upright, 
dost  weigh  the  path  of  the  just. 

Yea,  in  the  way  of  thy  judgments,  O  Lord,  have  we 
waited  for  thee ;  the  desire  of  our  soul  is  to  thy  name,  and 
to  the  remembrance  of  thee. 

With  my  soul  have  I  desired  thee  in  the  night;  yea, 
with  my  spirit  within  me  will  I  seek  thee  early :  for  when 
thy  judgments  are  in  the  earth,  the  inhabitants  of  the 
world  will  learn  righteousness. 

Let  favour  be  shewed  to  the  wicked,  yet  will  he  not 
learn  righteousness  :  in  the  land  of  uprightness  will  he 
deal  unjustly,  and  will  not  behold  the  majesty  of  the  Lord. 

Lord,  when  thy  hand  is  lifted  up,  they  will  not  see : 
but  they  shall  see,  and  be  ashamed  for  their  envy  at  the 
people ;  yea,  the  fire  of  thine  enemies  shall  devour  them. 

Isaiah  xxvi.  i-i  i. 

CXIX.     THE    FALSE   AND    THE   TRUE 
NOBILITY. 

BEHOLD,  a    King   shall   reign  in  righteousness,  and 
princes  shall  rule  in  judgment. 
And  a  man  shall  be  as  a  hiding  place  from  the  wind,  and 


i8o 


a  covert  from  the  tempest ;  as  rivers  of  water  in  a  dry 
place,  as  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land. 

And  the  eyes  of  them  that  see  shall  not  be  dim,  and  the 
ears  of  them  that  hear  shall  hearken. 

The  heart  also  of  the  rash  shall  understand  knowledge, 
and  the  tongue  of  the  stammerers  shall  be  ready  to  speak 
plainly. 

The  vile  person  shall  be  no  more  called  liberal,  nor  the 
churl  said  to  be  bountiful. 

For  the  vile  person  will  speak  villany,  and  his  heart 
will  work  iniquity,  to  practise  hypocrisy,  and  to  utter  error 
against  the  Lord,  to  make  empty  the  soul  of  the  hungry  ; 
and  he  will  cause  the  drink  of  the  thirsty  to  fail. 

The  instruments  also  of  the  churl  are  evil :  he  deviseth 
wicked  devices  to  destroy  the  poor  with  lying  words,  even 
when  the  needy  speaketh  right. 

But  the  liberal  deviseth  liberal  things  ;  and  by  liberal 
things  shall  he  stand.  Isaiah  xxxii.  i-8. 

CXX.     ISRAEL'S    REDEMPTION   AND    RETURN 

HOME. 

THE   wilderness   and  the  solitary  place  shall  be  glad 
for  them;  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice,  and  blossom 
as  the  rose. 

It  shall  blossom  abundantly,  and  rejoice  even  with  joy 
and  singing :  the  glory  of  Lebanon  shall  be  given  unto  it, 
the  excellency  of  Carmel  and  Sharon  ;  they  shall  see  the 
glory  of  the  Lord,  and  the  excellency  of  our  God. 

Strengthen  ye  the  weak  hands,  and  confirm  the  feeble 
knees. 


i8i 

Say  to  them  that  are  of  a  fearful  heart,  Be  strong,  fear 
not :  behold,  your  God  will  come  with  vengeance,  even 
God  with  a  recompense ;  he  will  come  and  save  you. 

Then  the  eyes  of  the  blind  shall  be  opened,  and  the 
ears  of  the  deaf  shall  be  unstopped. 

Then  shall  the  lame  man  leap  as  a  hart,  and  the  tongue 
of  the  dumb  sing :  for  in  the  wilderness  shall  waters 
break  out,  and  streams  in  the  desert. 

And  the  parched  ground  shall  become  a  pool,  and  the 
thirsty  land  springs  of  water  :  in  the  habitation  of  drag- 
ons, where  each  lay,  shall  be  grass  with  reeds  and 
rushes. 

And  a  highway  shall  be  there,  and  a  way,  and  it  shall 
be  called  The  way  of  holiness ;  the  unclean  shall  not  pass 
over  it ;  but  it  shall  be  for  those :  the  wayfaring  men, 
though  fools,  shall  not  err  therein. 

No  lion  shall  be  there,  nor  any  ravenous  beast  shall  go 
up  thereon,  it  shall  not  be  found  there  ;  but  the  redeemed 
shall  walk  there  : 

And  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and  come 
to  Zion  with  songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads  : 
they  shall  obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sigh- 
ing shall  flee  away. 

Isaiah  xxxv.  i-io. 

CXXI.     THE  FINAL  REDEMPTION  OF  ISRAEL. 

HEARKEN  unto  me,  my  people ;  and  give  ear  unto 
me,  O  my  nation  :  for  a  law  shall  proceed  from  me, 
and  I  will  make  my  judgment  to  rest  for  a  light  of  the 
people. 


l82 

My  righteousness  is  near;  my  salvation  is  gone  forth, 
and  mine  arms  shall  judge  the  people ;  the  isles  shall  wait 
upon  me,  and  on  mine  arm  shall  they  trust. 

Lift  up  your  eyes  to  the  heavens,  and  look  upon  the 
earth  beneath :  for  the  heavens  shall  vanish  away  like 
smoke,  and  the  earth  shall  wax  old  like  a  garment,  and 
they  that  dwell  therein  shall  die  in  like  manner :  but  my 
salvation  shall  be  for  ever,  and  my  righteousness  shall  not 
be  abolished. 

Hearken  unto  me,  ye  that  know  righteousness,  the  peo- 
ple in  whose  heart  is  my  law  ;  fear  ye  not  the  reproach  of 
men,  neither  be  ye  afraid  of  their  revilings. 

For  the  moth  shall  eat  them  up  like  a  garment,  and 

the  worm  shall  eat  them  like  wool :  but  my  righteousness 

shall  be  for  ever,  and  my  salvation    from    generation   to 

generation. 

Isaiah  li.  4-8. 


CXXII.     THE   RESTORATION    ACCOMPLISHED. 

HOW  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet  of  him 
that  bringeth  good  tidings,  that  publisheth  peace; 
that  bringeth  good  tidings  of  good,  that  publisheth  salva- 
tion ;  that  saith  unto  Zion,  *'  Thy  God  reigneth !  " 

Thy  watchmen  shall  lift  up  the  voice ;  with  the  voice  to- 
gether shall  they  sing :  for  they  shall  see  eye  to  eye,  when 
the  Lord  shall  bring  again  Zion. 

Break  forth  into  joy,  sing  together,  ye  waste  places  of 
Jerusalem :  for  the  Lord  hath  comforted  his  people,  he 
hath  redeemed  Jerusalem. 


i83 

The  Lord  hath  made  bare  his  holy  arm  in  the  eyes  of 

all  the  nations ;  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  see  the 

salvation  of  our  God. 

Isaiah  lii.  7-10. 

CXXIII.     THE   MAN    OF   SORROWS. 

WHO  hath  believed  our  report.^  and  to  whom  is  the 
arm  of  the  Lord  revealed  ? 

For  he  shall  grow  up  before  him  as  a  tender  plant,  and 
as  a  root  out  of  a  dry  ground :  he  hath  no  form  nor  come- 
liness ;  and  when  we  shall  see  him,  there  is  no  beauty  that 
we  should  desire  him. 

He  is  despised  and  rejected  of  men ;  a  man  of  sorrows, 
and  acquainted  with  grief :    and  we  hid  as  it  were  our 
faces  from  him ;  he  was  despised,  and  we  esteemed  him* 
not. 

Surely  he  hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sor- 
rows :  yet  we  did  esteem  him  stricken,  smitten  of  God,  and 
afflicted. 

But  he  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  he  was 
bruised  for  our  iniquities  :  the  chastisement  of  our  peace 
was  upon  him  ;  and  with  his  stripes  we  are  healed. 

All  we  like  sheep  have  gone  astray ;  we  have  turned 
every  one  to  his  own  way  ;  and  the  Lord  hath  laid  on 
him  the  iniquity  of  us  all. 

He  was  oppressed,  and  he  was  afflicted,  yet  he  opened 
not  his  mouth  :  he  is  brought  as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter, 
and  as  a  sheep  before  her  shearers  is  dumb,  so  he  openeth 
not  his  mouth. 

He  was  taken   from  prison  and  from   judgment:    and 


1 84 

who  shall  declare  his  generation  ?  for  he  was  cut  off  out 
of  the  land  of  the  living :  for  the  transgression  of  my 
people  was  he  stricken. 

And  he  made  his  grave  with  the  wicked,  and  with  the 
rich  in  his  death  ;  because  he  had  done  no  violence,  neither 
was  any  deceit  in  his  mouth. 

Yet  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  bruise  him  ;  he  hath  put 
him  to  grief :  when  thou  shalt  make  his  soul  an  offer- 
ing for  sin,  he  shall  see  his  seed,  he  shall  prolong  his 
days,  and  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  shall  prosper  in  his 
hand. 

He  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  shall  be  satis- 
fied :  by  his  knowledge  shall  my  righteous  servant  justify 
many ;  for  he  shall  bear  their  iniquities. 

Therefore  will  I  divide  him  a  portion  with  the  great, 
and  he  shall  divide  the  spoil  with  the  strong ;  because  he 
hath  poured  out  his  soul  unto  death:  and  he  was  num- 
bered with  the  transgressors ;  and  he  bare  the  sin  of  many, 
and  made  intercession  for  the  transgressors. 

Isaiah  liii.  1-12. 


3j«4C 


CXXIV.     THE   WAY   OF   SALVATION. 

HO,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters,  and 
he  that  hath  no  money ;  come  ye,  buy,  and  eat ; 
yea,  come,  buy  wine  and  milk  without  money  and  without 
price. 

Wherefore  do  ye  spend  money  for  that   which  is  not 
bread  ?    and    your   labour  for   that  which   satisfieth   not  ? 


i85 

hearken  diligently  unto  me,  and  eat  ye  that  which  is  good, 
and  let  your  soul  delight  itself  in  fatness. 

Incline  your  ear,  and  come  unto  me :  hear,  and  your 
soul  shall  live ;  and  I  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant 
with  you,  even  the  sure  mercies  of  David. 

Behold,  I  have  given  him  for  a  witness  to  the  people,  a 
leader  and  commander  to  the  people. 

Behold,  thou  shalt  call  a  nation  that  thou  knowest  not, 
and  nations  that  knew  not  thee  shall  run  unto  thee,  be- 
cause of  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  for  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel ;  for  he  hath  glorified  thee. 

Seek  ye  the  Lord  while  he  may  be  found,  call  ye  upon 
him  while  he  is  near : 

Let  the  wicked  forsake  his  way,  and  the  unrighteous 
man  his  thoughts :  and  let  him  return  unto  the  Lord,  and 
he  will  have  mercy  upon  him ;  and  to  our  God,  for  he 
will  abundantly  pardon. 

For  my  thoughts  are  not  your  thoughts,  neither  are 
your  ways  my  ways,  saith  the  Lord. 

For  as  the  heavens  are  higher  than  the  earth,  so  are 
my  ways  higher  than  your  ways,  and  my  thoughts  than 
your  thoughts. 

For  as  the  rain  cometh  down,  and  the  snow  from  heaven, 
and  returneth  not  thither,  but  watereth  the  earth,  and 
maketh  it  bring  forth  and  bud,  that  it  may  give  seed  to 
the  sower,  and  bread  to  the  eater ; 

So  shall  my  word  be  that  goeth  forth  out  of  my  mouth : 
it  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but  it  shall  accomplish 
that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall  prosper  in  the  thing 
whereto  I  sent  it. 

For   ye   shall   go  out   with   joy,   and  be   led   forth   with 


1 86 

peace :  the  mountains  and  the  hills  shall  break  forth  be- 
fore you  into  singing,  and  all  the  trees  of  the  field  shall 
clap  their  hands. 

Instead  of  the  thorn  shall  come  up  the  fir  tree,  and 
instead  of  the  brier  shall  come  up  the  myrtle  tree :  and  it 
shall  be  to  the  Lord  for  a  name,  for  an  everlasting  sign 

that  shall  not  be  cut  off. 

Isaiah  Iv.  1-13. 


CXXV.     HEALING. 

WHEN  thou  criest,  let  thy  companies  deliver  thee  ; 
but  the  wind  shall  carry  them  all  away ;  vanity 
shall  take  them :  but  he  that  putteth  his  trust  in  me  shall 
possess  the  land,  and  shall  inherit  my  holy  mountain ; 

And  shall  say,  Cast  ye  up,  cast  ye  up,  prepare  the  way, 
take  up  the  stumblingblock  out  of  the  way  of  my  people. 

For  thus  saith  the  high  and  lofty  One  that  inhabiteth 
eternity,  whose  name  is  Holy ;  I  dwell  in  the  high  and 
holy  place,  with  him  also  that  is  of  a  contrite  and  humble 
spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit  of  the  humble,  and  to  revive  the 
heart  of  the  contrite  ones. 

For  I  will  not  contend  for  ever,  neither  will  I  be  always 
wroth :  for  the  spirit  should  fail  before  me,  and  the  souls 
which  I  have  made. 

For  the  iniquity  of  his  covetousness  was  I  wroth,  and 
smote  him :  I  hid  me,  and  was  wroth,  and  he  went  on 
frowardly  in  the  way  of  his  heart. 

I  have  seen  his  ways,  and  will  heal  him :  I  will  lead  him 
also,  and  restore  comforts  unto  him  and  to  his  mourners. 

I  create  the  fruit  of  the  lips ;  Peace,  peace  to  him  that 


i87 

is  far  off,  and  to  him  that  is  near,  saith  the  Lord  ;  and  I 
will  heal  him. 

But  the  wicked  are  like  the  troubled  sea,  when  it  can- 
not rest,  whose  waters  cast  up  mire  and  dirt. 

There  is  no  peace,  saith  my  God,  to  the  wicked. 

Isaiah  Ivii.  13-21. 

CXXVI.     THE   COMING    LIGHT. 

ARISE,  shine  ;  for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of 
the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee. 

For,  behold,  the  darkness  shall  cover  the  earth,  and 
gross  darkness  the  people :  but  the  Lord  shall  arise  upon 
thee,  and  his  glory  shall  be  seen  upon  thee. 

Aiid  the  Gentiles  shall  come  to  thy  light,  and  kings  to 
the  brightness  of  thy  rising. 

Lift  up  thine  eyes  round  about,  and  see :  all  they  gather 
themselves  together,  they  come  to  thee  :  thy  sons  shall  come 
from  far,  and  thy  daughters  shall  be  nursed  at  thy  side. 

Then  thou  shalt  see,  and  flow  together,  and  thine  heart 
shall  fear,  and  be  enlarged ;  because  the  abundance  of  the 
sea  shall  be  converted  unto  thee,  the  forces  of  the  Gentiles 
shall  come  unto  thee.  j^^j^j^  1^  ^_^ 

CXXVII.     JERUSALEM    RESTORED. 

THEREFORE  thy  gates  shall  be  open  continually; 
they  shall  not  be  shut  day  nor  night ;  that  men  may 
bring  unto  thee  the  forces  of  the  Gentiles,  and  that  their 
kings  may  be  brought. 


i88 

For  the  nation  and  kingdom  that  will  not  serve 
thee  shall  perish ;  yea,  those  nations  shall  be  utterly 
wasted. 

The  glory  of  Lebanon  shall  come  unto  thee,  the  fir 
tree,  the  pine  tree,  and  the  box  together,  to  beautify  the 
place  of  my  sanctuary ;  and  I  will  make  the  place  of  my 
feet  glorious. 

The  sons  also  of  them  that  afflicted    thee  shall  come 

bending  unto  thee ;  and  all  they  that  despised  thee  shall 

bow  themselves  down  at  the  soles  of  thy  feet ;  and  they 

shall   call  thee,  The  city  of  the  Lord,  The  Zion  of  the 

Holy  One  of  Israel. 

Isaiah  Ix.  11-14. 


CXXVin.     THE    FOUNDER   OF    SALVATION. 

THE  Spirit  of  the  Lord  God  is  upon  me;  because  the 
Lord  hath  anointed  me  to  preach  good  tidings  unto 
the  meek ;  he  hath  sent  me  to  bind  up  the  brokenhearted, 
to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives,  and  the  opening  of 
the  prison  to  them  that  are  bound  ; 

To  proclaim  the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord,  and 
the  day  of  vengeance  of  our  God ;  to  comfort  all  that 
mourn ; 

To  appoint  unto  them  that  mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  unto 
them  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  the 
garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness ;  that  they 
might  be  called  Trees  of  righteousness,  The  planting  of 
the  Lord,  that  he  might  be  glorified. 

And  they  shall  build    the    old  wastes,  they  shall   raise 


i89 

up    the    former    desolations,    and    they   shall   repair    the 
waste  cities,  the  desolations  of  many  generations. 

And  strangers  shall  stand  and  feed  your  flocks,  and 
the  sons  of  the  alien  shall  be  your  ploughmen  and  your 
vinedressers. 

But  ye  shall  be  named  the  Priests  of  the  Lord  :  men 
shall  call  you  the  Ministers  of  our  God :  ye  shall  eat  the 
riches  of  the  Gentiles,  and  in  their  glory  shall  ye  boast 
yourselves. 

For  your  shame  ye  shall  have  double;  and  for  confu- 
sion they  shall  rejoice  in  their  portion :  therefore  in  their 
land  they  shall  possess  the  double :  everlasting  joy  shall 
be  unto  them. 

For  I  the  Lord  love  judgment,  I  hate  robbery  for 
burnt  offering ;  and  I  will  direct  their  work  in  truth,  and 
I  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant  with  them. 

And  their  seed  shall  be  known  among  the  Gentiles, 
and  their  offspring  among  the  people :  all  that  see  them 
shall  acknowledge  them,  that  they  are  the  seed  which  the 
Lord  hath  blessed. 

I  will  greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  my  soul  shall  be 
joyful  in  my  God ;  for  he  hath  clothed  me  with  the  gar- 
ments of  salvation,  he  hath  covered  me  with  the  robe  of 
righteousness,  as  a  bridegroom  decketh  himself  with 
ornaments,  and  as  a  bride  adorneth  herself  with  her 
jewels. 

For  as  the  earth  bringeth  forth  her  bud,  and  as  the 
garden  causeth  the  things  that  are  sown  in  it  to  spring 
forth ;  so  the  Lord  God  will  cause  righteousness  and 
praise  to  spring  forth  before  all  the  nations. 

Isaiah  Ixi.  i-ii. 


1 90 


CXXIX.     PERSONAL   RESPONSIBILITY. 

YET  say  ye,  Why  ?  doth  not  the  son  bear  the  iniquity 
of  the  father  ?  When  the  son  hath  done  that  which 
is  lawful  and  right,  and  hath  kept  all  my  statutes,  and 
hath  done  them,  he  shall  surely  live. 

The  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  die.  The  son  shall  not 
bear  the  iniquity  of  the  father,  neither  shall  the  father 
bear  the  iniquity  of  the  son :  the  righteousness  of  the 
righteous  shall  be  upon  him,  and  the  wickedness  of  the 
wicked  shall  be  upon  him. 

But  if  the  wicked  will  turn  from  all  his  sins  that  he 
hath  committed,  and  keep  all  my  statutes,  and  do  that 
which  is  lawful  and  right,  he  shall  surely  live,  he  shall 
not  die. 

All  his  transgressions  that  he  hath  committed,  they  shall 
not  be  mentioned  unto  him :  in  his  righteousness  that  he 
hath  done  he  shall  live. 

Have  I  any  pleasure  at  all  that  the  wicked  should  die .'' 
saith  the  Lord  God  :  and  not  that  he  should  return  from 
his  ways,  and  live  .'' 

But  when  the  righteous  turneth  away  from  his  righteous- 
ness, and  committeth  iniquity,  and  doeth  according  to  all 
the  abominations  that  the  wicked  man  doeth,  shall  he  live  ? 
All  his  righteousness  that  he  hath  done  shall  not  be  men- 
tioned :  in  his  trespass  that  he  hath  trespassed,  and  in  his 
sin  that  he  hath  sinned,  in  them  shall  he  die. 

When  a  righteous  man  turneth  away  from  his  righteous- 
ness, and  committeth  iniquity,  and  dieth  in  them  ;  for  his 
iniquity 'that  he  hath  done  shall  he  die. 


191 

Again,  when  the  wicked  man  turneth  away  from  his 
wickedness  that  he  hath  committed,  and  doeth  that  which 
is  lawful  and  right,  he  shall  save  his  soul  alive. 

Because  he  considereth,  and  turneth  away  from  all 
his  transgressions  that  he  hath  committed,  he  shall  surely 
live,  he  shall  not  die. 

Therefore  I  will  judge  you,  O  house  of  Israel,  every 
one  according  to  his  ways,  saith  the  Lord  God.  Repent, 
and  turn  yourselves  from  all  your  transgressions  ;  so  in- 
iquity shall  not  be  your  ruin. 

Cast  away  from  you  all  your  transgressions,  whereby 
ye  have  transgressed ;  and  make  you  a  new  heart  and  a 
new  spirit :  for  why  will  ye  die,  O  house  of  Israel  ? 

For  I  have  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  him  that  dieth, 
saith  the  Lord  God  :  wherefore  turn  yourselves,  and  live  ye. 

Ezekiel  xviii.  19-24;  26-28;  30-32. 


3X«C 


CXXX.     IDOLS    IN   THE    HEART. 

THEN  came  certain  of  the  elders  of  Israel  unto  me, 
and  sat  before  me.  And  the  word  of  the  Lord 
came  unto  me,  saying.  Son  of  man,  these  men  have  set  up 
their  idols  in  their  heart,  and  put  the  stumblingblock  of 
their  iniquity  before  their  face  :  should  I  be  inquired  of  at 
all  by  them  ? 

Therefore  speak  unto  them,  and  say  unto  them,  Thus 
saith  the  Lord  God  : 

Every  man  of  the  house  of  Israel  that  setteth  up  his 
idols    in    his    heart,    and    putteth    the    stumblingblock    of 


192 

his  iniquity  before  his  face,  and  cometh  to  the  prophet;  I 
the  Lord  will  answer  him  that  cometh,  according  to  the 
multitude  of  his  idols ;  that  I  may  take  the  house  of  Israel 
in  their  own  heart,  because  they  are  all  estranged  from 
me  through  their  idols. 

Therefore  say  unto  the  house  of  Israel,  Thus  saith  the 
Lord  God  : 

Repent,  and  turn  yourselves  from  your  idols ;  and  turn 
away  your  faces  from  all  your  abominations. 

For  every  one  of  the  house  of  Israel,  or  of  the  stranger 
that  sojourneth  in  Israel,  which  separateth  himself  from 
me,  and  setteth  up  his  idols  in  his  heart,  and  putteth  the 
stumblingblock  of  his  iniquity  before  his  face,  and  cometh 
to  a  prophet  to  inquire  of  him  concerning  me ;  I  the  Lord 
will  answer  him  by  myself : 

And  I  will  set  my  face  against  that  man,  and  will  make 
him  a  sign  and  a  proverb,  and  I  will  cut  him  off  from  the 
midst  of  my  people ;  and  ye  shall  know  that  I  am  the 
Lord. 

And  if  the  prophet  be  deceived  when  he  hath  spoken  a 
thing,  I  the  Lord  have  deceived  that  prophet,  and  I  will 
stretch  out  my  hand  upon  him,  and  will  destroy  him  from 
the  midst  of  my  people  Israel. 

And  they  shall  bear  the  punishment  of  their  iniquity  : 
the  punishment  of  the  prophet  shall  be  even  as  the 
punishment  of  him  that  seeketh  unto  him ;  that  the  house 
of  Israel  may  go  no  more  astray  from  me,  neither  be 
polluted  any  more  with  all  their  transgressions ;  but  that 
they  may  be  my  people,  and  I  may  be  their  God,  saith  the 
Lord  God. 

Ezekiel  xiv.  i-  ii 


193 


CXXXI.     SIN    BRINGS    CALAMITY. 

FOR  thus  saith  the  Lord  unto  the  house  of  Israel,  Seek 
ye  me,  and  ye  shall  live :  but  seek  not  Beth-el,  nor 
enter  into  Gilgal,  and  pass  not  to  Beer-sheba:  for  Gilgal 
shall  surely  go  into  captivity,  and  Beth-el  shall  come  to 
nought.  Seek  the  Lord,  and  ye  shall  live ;  lest  he  break 
out  like  fire  in  the  house  of  Joseph,  and  devour  it,  and 
there  be  none  to  quench  it  in  Beth-el. 

Ye  who  turn  judgment  to  wormwood,  and  leave  off 
righteousness  in  the  earth,  seek  him  that  maketh  the 
seven  stars  and  Orion,  and  turneth  the  shadow  of  death 
into  the  morning,  and  maketh  the  day  dark  with  night : 
that  calleth  for  the  waters  of  the  sea,  and  poureth  them 
out  upon  the  face  of  the  earth  :  The  Lord  is  his  name  : 
that  strengtheneth  the  spoiled  against  the  strong,  so  that 
the  spoiled  shall  come  against  the  fortress. 

They  hate  him  that  rebuketh  in  the  gate,  and  they  abhor 
him  that  speaketh  uprightly. 

Forasmuch  therefore  as  your  treading  is  upon  the  poor, 
and  ye  take  from  him  burdens  of  wheat :  ye  have  built 
houses  of  hewn  stone,  but  ye  shall  not  dwell  in  them ;  ye 
have  planted  pleasant  vineyards,  but  ye  shall  not  drink 
wine  of  them.  For  I  know  your  manifold  transgres- 
sions and  your  mighty  sins :  they  afflict  the  just,  they 
take  a  bribe,  and  they  turn  aside  the  poor  in  the  gate  from 
their  right. 

Therefore  the  prudent  shall  keep  silence  in  that  time  ; 
for  it  is  an  evil  time.  Seek  good,  and  not  evil,  that  ye 
may  live :  and  so  the   Lord,  the  God  of  hosts,  shall  be 

BIB.    READ. —  13 


194 

with  you,  as  ye  have  spoken.  Hate  the  evil,  and  love  the 
good,  and  establish  judgment  in  the  gate  :  it  may  be  that 
the  Lord  God  of  hosts  will  be  gracious  unto  the  remnant 

^^J^S^Ph-  Amos  V.  4-15- 

CXXXII.     PROMISES   OF   RECONCILIATION. 

THEREFORE,  behold,  I  will  allure  her,  and  bring 
hej*  into  the  wilderness,  and  speak  comfortably  unto 
her.  And  I  will  give  her  her  vineyards  from  thence,  and 
the  valley  of  Achor  for  a  door  of  hope :  and  she  shall 
sing  there,  as  in  the  days  of  her  youth,  and  as  in  the  day 
when  she  came  up  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt. 

And  it  shall  be  at  that  day,  saith  the  Lord,  that  thou 
shalt  call  me  Ishi;  and  shalt  call  me  no  more  Baali. 
For  I  will  take  away  the  names  of  Baalim  out  of  her 
mouth,  and  they  shall  no  more  be  remembered  by  their 
name. 

And  in  that  day  will  I  make  a  covenant  for  them  with 
the  beasts  of  the  field,  and  with  the  fowls  of  heaven,  and 
with  the  creeping  things  of  the  ground :  and  I  will  break 
the  bow  and  the  sword  and  the  battle  out  of  the  earth,  and 
will  make  them  to  lie  down  safely. 

And  I  will  betroth  thee  unto  me  for  ever :  yea,  I  will 
betroth  thee  unto  me  in  righteousness,  and  in  judgment, 
and  in  loving  kindness,  and  in  mercies.  I  will  even 
betroth  thee  unto  me  hi  faithfulness:  and  thou  shalt  know 
the  Lord. 

And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  I  will  hear,  saith 
the  Lord,  I  will  hear  the  heavens,  and  they  shall  hear  the 


195 

earth ;  and  the   earth   shall  hear  the  corn,  and  the  wine, 

and  the  oil ;  and  they  shall  hear  Jezreel.     And  I  will  sow 

her  unto  me  in  the  earth  ;  and  I  will  have  mercy  upon  her 

that  had  not  obtained  mercy ;  and  I  will  say  to  them  which 

were  not  my  people,  Thou  art  my  people ;  and  they  shall 

say,  Thou  art  my  God. 

Hosea  ii.  14-23. 


w 


Selectet)  ^opice* 

CXXXIII.     STRONG    DRINK. 

INE  is  a  mocker,  strong  drink  is  raging: 
And  whosoever  is  deceived  thereby  is  not  wise. 

Proverbs  xx.  : 


Woe  unto  them  that  rise  up  early  in  the  morning,  that 
they  may  follow  strong  drink ;  that  continue  until  night, 
till  wine  inflame  them !  And  the  harp  and  the  viol,  the 
tabret  and  pipe,  and  wine,  are  in  their  feasts :  but  they 
regard  not  the  work  of  the  Lord,  neither  consider  the 
operation  of  his  hands. 

Therefore  my  people  are  gone  into  captivity,  because 
they  have  no  knowledge :  and  their  honourable  men  are 
famished,  and  their  multitude  dried  up  with  thirst. 

Therefore  hell  hath  enlarged  herself,  and  opened  her 
mouth  without  measure :  and  their  glory,  and  their  multi- 
tude, and  their  pomp,  and  he  that  rejoiceth,  shall  descend 
into  it.  And  the  mean  man  shall  be  brought  down,  and 
the  mighty  man  shall  be  humbled,  and  the  eyes  of  the 
lofty  shall  be  humbled :  but  the  Lord  of  hosts  shall  be 
exalted  in  judgment,  and  God  that  is  holy  shall  be  sancti- 
fied in  righteousness. 

Then  shall  the  lambs  feed  after  their  manner,  and  the 
waste  places  of  the  fat  ones  shall  strangers  eat. 

196 


197 

Woe  unto  them  that  draw  iniquity  with  cords  of  vanity, 
and  sin  as  it  were  with  a  cart  rope :  that  say,  ''  Let  him 
make  speed,  and  hasten  his  work,  that  we  may  see  it :  and 
let  the  counsel  of  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  draw  nigh  and 
come,  that  we  may  know  it !  " 

Woe  unto  them  that  call  evil  good,  and  good  evil ;  that 

put  darkness  for  light,  and  light  for  darkness ;    that  put 

bitter  for  sweet,  and  sweet  for  bitter  !    Woe  unto  them  that 

are  wise  in  their  own  eyes,  and  prudent  in  their  own  sight ! 

Woe  unto  them  that  are  mighty  to  drink  wine,  and  men  of 

strength  to  mingle  strong  drink :  which  justify  the  wicked 

for    reward,    and   take   away    the    righteousness    of    the 

righteous  from  him ! 

Isaiah  v.  11-23. 


CXXXIV.     THE   SLOTHFUL   AND   THE 
DILIGENT. 

1WENT  by  the  field  of  the  slothful,  and  by  the  vine- 
yard of  the  man  void  of  understanding ;  and,  lo,  it  was 
all  grown  over  with  thorns,  and  nettles  had  covered  the 
face  thereof,  and  the  stone  wall  thereof  was  broken  down. 
Then  I  saw,  and  considered  it  well :  I  looked  upon  it, 
and  received  instruction.  Yet  a  little  sleep,  a  little  slumber, 
a  little  folding  of  the  hands  to  sleep  :  so  shall  thy  poverty 
come  as  one  that  travelleth ;  and  thy  want  as  an  armed 

man. 

Proverbs  xxiv.  30-34. 

Go  to  the  ant,  thou  sluggard ;  consider  her  ways,  and  be 
wise :  which  having  no  guide,  overseer,  or  ruler,  provideth 


198 

her  meat  in  the  summer,  and  gathereth  her  food  in  the 
harvest. 

How  long  wilt  thou  sleep,  O  sluggard  ?  when  wilt  thou 
arise  out  of  thy  sleep  ?  Yet  a  little  sleep,  a  little  slumber, 
a  little  folding  of  the  hands  to  sleep  :  so  shall  thy  poverty 
come  as  one  that  travelleth,  and  thy  want  as  an  armed 

man.  _        ,      •  /: 

Proverbs  vi.  o-ii. 

Seest  thou  a  man  diligent  in  his  business .? 

He  shall  stand  before  kings;    he  shall  not  stand  before 

mean  men. 

Proverbs  xxu.  29. 

The  hand  of  the  diligent  shall  bear  rule : 
But  the  slothful  shall  be  under  tribute. 

Proverbs  xii.  24. 

He  that  tilleth  his  land  shall  have  plenty  of  bread :  but 
he  that  followeth  after  vain  persons  shall  have  poverty 
enough. 

A  faithful  man  shall  abound  with  blessings :  but  he  that 
maketh  haste  to  be  rich  shall  not  be  innocent. 

Proverbs  xxviii.  19,  20. 

To  do  justice  and  judgment 

Is  more  acceptable  to  the  Lord  than  sacrifice. 

A  high  look,  and  a  proud  heart. 

And  the  ploughing  of  the  wicked,  is  sin. 

The  thoughts  of  the  diligent  tend  only  to  plenteousness ; 

But  of  every  one  that  is  hasty  only  to  want. 

The  getting  of  treasures  by  a  lying  tongue 

Is  a  vanity  tossed  to  and  fro  of  them  that  seek  death. 

Proverbs  xxi.  3-6. 


199 


CXXXV.     EXHORTATIONS   TO   VARIOUS 
VIRTUES. 

CHARGE  them  that  are  rich  in  this  world,  that  they 
be  not  highminded,  nor  trust  in  uncertain  riches,  but 
in  theUving  God,  who  giveth  us  richly  all  things  to  enjoy; 
that  they  do  good,  that  they  be  rich  in  good  works,  ready 
to  distribute,  willing  to  communicate ;  laying  up  in  store 
for  themselves  a  good  foundation  against  the  time  to  come, 

that  they  may  lay  hold  on  eternal  life. 

I  Timothy  vi.  17-19. 

But  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,  longsuf- 

fering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temperance  : 

against  such  there  is  no  law. 

Galatians  v.  22,  23. 

And  besides  this,  givii^  all  diligence,  add  to  your  faith, 
virtue ;  and  to  virtue,  knowledge ;  and  to  knowledge,  tem- 
perance ;  and  to  temperance,  patience ;  and  to  patience, 
godliness ;    and  to  godliness,  brotherly  kindness ;  and  to 

brotherly  kindness,  charity. 

2  Peter  i.  5-7. 

But  godliness  with  contentment  is  great  gain. 

For  we  brought  nothing  into  this  world,  and  it  is  certain 
we  can  carry  nothing  out.  And  having  food  and  raiment, 
let  us  be  therewith  content.  But  they  that  will  be  rich 
fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and  into  many  foolish 
and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men  in  destruction  and 
perdition.  For  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil : 
which  while  some  coveted  after,  they  have  erred  from  the 
faith,  and  pierced  themselves  through  with  many  sorrows. 


200 

But  thou,  O  man  of  God,  flee  these  things  ;  and  follow 
after  righteousness,  godliness,  faith,  love,  patience,  meek- 
ness. Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,  lay  hold  on  eternal 
life,  whereunto  thou  art  also  called,  and  hast  professed  a 

good  profession  before  many  witnesses. 

I  Timothy  vi.  6-12. 

CXXXVI.     FURTHER    EXHORTATIONS   TO 
VIRTUE. 

BY  love  serve  one  another.     For  all  the  law  is  fulfilled 
in  one  word,  even  in  this ;  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neigh- 
bour as  thyself.  Galatians  v.  13,  14. 

But  now  ye  also  put  off  all  these ;  anger,  wrath,  malice, 
blasphemy,  filthy  communication  out  of  your  mouth.  Lie 
not  one  to  another,  seeing  thafye  have  put  off  the  old 
man  with  his  deeds ;  and  have  put  on  the  new  man, 
which  is  renewed  in  knowledge  after  the  image  of  him 
that  created  him  :  where  there  is  neither  Greek  nor  Jew, 
circumcision  nor  uncircumcision.  Barbarian,  Scythian,  bond 
nor  free  :  but  Christ  is  all,  and  in  all. 

Put  on  therefore,  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy  and  beloved, 
bowels  of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of  mind,  meek- 
ness, longsuffering ;  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiv- 
ing one  another,  if  any  man  have  a  quarrel  against  any  : 
even  as  Christ  forgave  you,  so  also  do  ye. 

And  above  all  these  things  put  on  charity,  which  is  the 
bond  of  perfectness.  And  let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in 
your  hearts,  to  the  which  also  ye  are  called  in  one  body; 
and  be  ye  thankful.  Colossians  iii.  8-15. 


201 

Now  the  end  of  the  commandment  is  charity  out  of  a 
pure  heart,  and  of  a  good  conscience,  and  of  faith  un- 
feigned. I  Timothy  i.  5. 

But  the  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand :  be  ye  therefore 

sober,  and  watch  unto  prayer.      And    above    all    things 

have  fervent  charity  among  yourselves :  for  charity  shall 

cover  the  multitude  of  sins. 

I  Peter  iv.  7-8. 

CXXXVII.     LOVE   OR   CHARITY. 

THOUGH  I  speak  with  the  tongues  of  men  and  of 
angels,  and  have  not  charity,  I  am  become  as  sound- 
ing brass,  or  a  tinkling  cymbal. 

And  though  I  have  the  gift  of  prophecy,  and  under- 
stand all  mysteries,  and  all  knowledge ;  and  though  I  have 
all  faith,  so  that  I  could  remove  mountains,  and  have  not 
charity,  I  am  nothing. 

And  though  I  bestow  all  my  goods  to  feed  the  poor, 
and  though  I  give  my  body  to  be  burned,  and  have  not 
charity,  it  profiteth  me  nothing. 

Charity  suffereth  long,  and  is  kind  ;  charity  envieth  not ; 
charity  vaunteth  not  itself,  is  not  puffed  up,  doth  not  be- 
have itself  unseemly,  seeketh  not  her  own,  is  not  easily 
provoked,  thinketh  no  evil;  rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but 
rejoiceth  in  the  truth  ;  beareth  all  things,  believeth  all 
things,  hopeth  all  things,  endureth  all  things. 

Charity  never  faileth :  but  whether  there  be  prophecies, 
they  shall  fail ;  whether  there  be  tongues,  they  shall  cease  ; 
whether  there  be  knowledge,  it  shall  vanish  away. 


202 

For  we  know  in  part,  and  we  prophesy  in  part.  But 
when  that  which  is  perfect  is  come,  then  that  which  is  in 
part  shall  be  done  away.  When  I  was  a  child,  I  spake 
as  a  child,  I  understood  as  a  child,  I  thought  as  a  child  : 
but  when  I  became  a  man,  I  put  away  childish  things. 
For  now  we  see  through  a  glass,  darkly ;  but  then  face 
to  face :  now  I  know  in  part ;  but  then  shall  I  know  even 
as  also  I  am  known. 

And  now  abideth  faith,  hope,  charity,  these  three ;  but 
the  greatest  of  these  is  charity. 

I  Corinthians  xiii.  1-13. 


3JOJC 


CXXXVIII.     THE   HEART. 

CREATE  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God ; 
And  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me. 
Cast  me  not  away  from  thy  presence ; 
And  take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me. 
Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation ; 
And  uphold  me  with  thy  free  Spirit. 
Then  will  I  teach  transgressors  thy  ways ; 
And  sinners  shall  be  converted  unto  thee. 
Deliver  me  from  bloodguiltiness, 
O  God,  thou  God  of  my  salvation : 
And  my  tongue  shall  sing  aloud  of  thy  righteousness. 
O  Lord,  open  thou  my  Hps ; 
And  my  mouth  shall  shew  forth  thy  praise. 
For  thou  desirest  not  sacrifice ; 
Else  would  I  give  it : 


203 

Thou  delightest  not  in  burnt  offering. 
The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit: 
A  broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou  wilt  not  despise. 
Do  good  in  thy  good  pleasure  unto  Zion. 
Build  thou  the  walls  of  Jerusalem. 

Then  shalt  thou  be  pleased  with  the  sacrifices  of  righteous- 
ness, with  burnt  offering  and  whole  burnt  offering : 
Then  shall  they  offer  bullocks  upon  thine  altar. 

Psalm  11.  10-19. 

Lord,  I  cry  unto  thee :  make  haste  unto  me ; 

Give  ear  unto  my  voice,  when  I  cry  unto  thee. 

Let  my  prayer  be  set  forth  before  thee  as  incense ; 

And  the  lifting  up  of  my  hands  as  the  evening  sacrifice. 

Set  a  watch,  O  Lord,  before  my  mouth ; 

Keep  the  door  of  my  lips. 

Incline  not  my  heart  to  any  evil  thing, 

To  practise  wicked  works  with  men  that  work  iniquity : 

And  let  me  not  eat  of  their  dainties. 

Psalm  cxli.  1-4. 

These  six  things  doth  the  Lord  hate ; 

Yea,  seven  are  an  abomination  unto  him : 

A  proud  look,  a  lying  tongue. 

And  hands  that  shed  innocent  blood, 

A  heart  that  deviseth  wicked  imaginations, 

Feet  that  be  swift  in  running  to  mischief, 

A  false  witness  that  speaketh  lies. 

And  he  that  soweth  discord  among  brethren. 

Proverbs  vi.  16-19. 


204 


CXXXIX.     THE   SOURCE   OF   GOOD   AND 
PERFECT    GIFTS. 

EVERY  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift  is  from  above, 
and  Cometh  down  from  the  Father  of  lights,  with 
whom  is  no  variableness,  neither  shadow  of  turning.  Of 
his  own  will  begat  he  us  with  the  word  of  truth,  that  we 
should  be  a  kind  of  firstfruits  of  his  creatures. 

Wherefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  let  every  man  be 
swift  to  hear,  slow  to  speak,  slow  to  wrath :  for  the  wrath 
of  man  worketh  not  the  righteousness  of  God.  Where- 
fore lay  apart  all  filthiness  and  superfluity  of  naughtiness, 
and  receive  with  meekness  the  engrafted  word,  which  is 
able  to  save  your  souls. 

But  be  ye  doers  of  the  word,  and  not  hearers  only,  de- 
ceiving your  own  selves.  For  if  any  be  a  hearer  of  the 
word,  and  not  a  doer,  he  is  like  unto  a  man  beholding  his 
natural  face  in  a  glass :  for  he  beholdeth  himself,  and 
goeth  his  way,  and  straightway  forgetteth  what  manner 
of  man  he  was.  But  whoso  looketh  into  the  perfect  law 
of  liberty,  and  continueth  therein,  he  being  not  a  for- 
getful hearer,  but  a  doer  of  the  work,  this  man  shall  be 
blessed  in  his  deed. 

If  any  man  among  you  seem  to  be  religious,  and  bri- 
dleth  not  his  tongue,  but  deceiveth  his  own  heart,  this 
man's  religion  is  vain.  Pure  religion  and  undefiled  be- 
fore God  and  the  Father  is  this.  To  visit  the  fatherless 
and  widows  in  their  affliction,  and  to  keep  himself  un- 
spotted from  the  world. 

James  i.  17-27. 


205 


CXL.     THE   TONGUE. 


FOR  in  many  things  we  offend  all.  If  any  man  offend 
not  in  word,  the  same  is  a  perfect  man,  and  able  also 
to  bridle  the  whole  body. 

Behold,  we  put  bits  in  the  horses*  mouths,  that  they 
may  obey  us ;  and  we  turn  about  their  whole  body.  Be- 
hold also  the  ships,  which  though  they  be  so  great,  and 
are  driven  of  fierce  winds,  yet  are  they  turned  about 
with  a  very  small  helm,  whithersoever  the  governor 
listeth. 

Even  so  the  tongue  is  a  little  member,  and  boasteth 
great  things.  Behold,  how  great  a  matter  a  little  fire 
kindleth !  And  the  tongue  is  a  fire,  a  world  of  iniquity  : 
so  is  the  tongue  among  our  members,  that  it  defileth  the 
whole  body,  and  setteth  on  fire  the  course  of  nature;  and 
it  is  set  on  fire  of  hell. 

For  every  kind  of  beasts,  and  of  birds,  and  of  serpents, 
and  of  things  in  the  sea,  is  tamed,  and  hath  been  tamed 
of  mankind:  but  the  tongue  can  no  man  tame;  it  is  an 
unruly  evil,  full  of  deadly  poison. 

Therewith  bless  we  God,  even  the  Father;  and  there- 
with curse  we  men,  which  are  made  after  the  similitude 
of  God.  Out  of  the  same  mouth  proceedeth  blessing 
and  cursing.  My  brethren,  these  things  ought  not  so 
to  be. 

Doth  a  fountain  send  forth  at  the  same  place  sweet 
water  and  bitter }  Can  the  fig  tree,  my  brethren,  bear 
olive  berries .''  either  a  vine,  figs  ?  so  can  no  fountain  both 
yield  salt  water  and  fresh. 


2o6 


Who  is  a  wise  man  and  endued  with  knowledge  among 

you  ?  let  him  shew  out  of  a  good  conversation  his  works 

with  meekness  of  wisdom. 

James  iii.  2-13. 

The  lip  of  truth  shall  be  established  for  ever : 
But  a  lying  tongue  is  but  for  a  moment. 
Deceit  is  in  the  heart  of  them  that  imagine  evil : 
But  to  the  counsellors  of  peace  is  joy. 
There  shall  no  evil  happen  to  the  just : 
But  the  wicked  shall  be  filled  with  mischief. 
Lying  lips  are  abomination  to  the  Lord  : 
But  they  that  deal  truly  are  his  delight. 

Proverbs  xii.  19-22. 

CXLL     FROM   THE   DIVINE   SONG  OF   MOSES. 

GIVE  ear,  O  ye  heavens,  and  I  will  speak ; 
And  hear,  O  earth,  the  words  of  my  mouth. 
My  doctrine  shall  drop  as  the  rain. 
My  speech  shall  distil  as  the  dew, 
As  the  small  rain  upon  the  tender  herb. 
And  as  the  showers  upon  the  grass : 
Because  I  will  publish  the  name  of  the  Lord  : 
Ascribe  ye  greatness  unto  our  God. 
He  is  the  Rock,  his  work  is  perfect : 
For  all  his  ways  are  judgment : 
A  God  of  truth  and  without  iniquity, 
Just  and  right  is  he. 
They  have  corrupted  themselves. 


207 

Their  spot  is  not  the  spot  of  his  children : 

They  are  a  perverse  and  crooked  generation. 

Do  ye  thus  requite  the  Lord, 

O  foohsh  people  and  unwise  ? 

Is  not  he  thy  father  that  hath  bought  thee  ? 

Hath  he  not  made  thee,  and  estabhshed  thee? 

Remember  the  days  of  old. 

Consider  the  years  of  many  generations : 

Ask  thy  father,  and  he  will  shew  thee ; 

Thy  elders,  and  they  will  tell  thee. 

When  the  Most  High  divided  to  the  nations  their  inherit 

ance. 

When  he  separated  the  sons  of  Adam, 

He  set  the  bounds  of  the  people 

According  to  the  number  of  the  children  of  IsraeL 

For  the  Lord's  portion  is  his  people ; 

Jacob  is  the  lot  of  his  inheritance. 

He  found  him  in  a  desert  land, 

And  in  the  waste  howling  wilderness ; 

He  led  him  about,  he  instructed  him, 

He  kept  him  as  the  apple  of  his  eye. 

As  an  eagle  stirreth  up  her  nest, 

Fluttereth  over  her  young, 

Spreadeth  abroad  her  wings, 

Taketh  them,  beareth  them  on  her  wings : 

So  the  Lord  alone  did  lead  him. 

And  there  was  no  strange  god  with  him. 

Deut.  xxxii.  1-12 

Righteousness  exalteth  a  nation : 
But  sin  is  a  reproach  to  any  people. 

Proverbs  xiv.  34. 


208 


CXLII.  GEMS  FROM  PROVERBS. 

A    SO  FT  answer  turneth  away  wrath  : 
But  grievous  words  stir  up  anger. 
The  tongue  of  the  wise  useth  knowledge  aright : 
But  the  mouth  of  fools  poureth  out  foolishness. 
The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  in  every  place, 
Beholding  the  evil  and  the  good. 
A  wholesome  tongue  is  a  tree  of  life : 
But  perverseness  therein  is  a  breach  in  the  spirit. 
A  fool  despiseth  his  father's  instruction : 
But  he  that  regardeth  reproof  is  prudent. 
In  the  house  of  the  righteous  is  much  treasure : 
But  in  the  revenues  of  the  wicked  is  trouble. 
The  lips  of  the  wise  disperse  knowledge : 
But  the  heart  of  the  foolish  doeth  not  so. 
The  sacrifice  of  the  wicked  is  an  abomination  to  the  Lord 
But  the  prayer  of  the  upright  is  his  delight. 
The  way  of  the  wicked  is  an  abomination  unto  the  Lord  : 
But  he  loveth  him  that  followeth  after  righteousness. 
Correction  is  grievous  unto  him  that  f  orsaketh  the  way : 
And  he  that  hateth  reproof  shall  die. 
Hell  and  destruction  are  before  the  Lord  : 
How  much  more  then  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men  ? 
A  scorner  loveth  not  one  that  reproveth  him : 
Neither  will  he  go  unto  the  wise. 
A  merry  heart  maketh  a  cheerful  countenance  : 
But  by  sorrow  of  the  heart  the  spirit  is  broken. 
The  heart  of  him  that  hath  understanding  seeketh  knowl- 
edge : 


2:uy 

But  the  mouth  of  fools  feedeth  on  foolishness. 

All  the  days  of  the  afflicted  are  evil : 

But  he  that  is  of  a  merry  heart  hath  a  continual  feast. 

Better  is  Uttle  with  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 

Than  great  treasure  and  trouble  therewith. 

Proverbs  xv.  1-16 

A  good  name  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than  great  riches, 

And  loving  favour  rather  than  silver  and  gold. 

The  rich  and  poor  meet  together : 

The  Lord  is  the  maker  of  them  all. 

A  prudent  man  foreseeth  the  evil,  and  hideth  himself : 

But  the  simple  pass  on,  and  are  punished. 

By  humility  and  the  fear  of  the  Lord 

Are  riches,  and  honour,  and  life. 

Thorns  and  snares  are  in  the  way  of  the  froward  : 

He  that  doth  keep  his  soul  shall  be  far  from  them. 

Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go  : 

And  when  he  is  old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it. 

The  rich  ruleth  over  the  poor, 

And  the  borrower  is  servant  to  the  lender. 

Proverbs  xxii.  1-7. 

CXLIII.  GEMS  FROM  PROVERBS. 

THE  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  knowledge : 
But  fools  despise  wisdom  and  instruction. 
My  son,  hear  the  instruction  of  thy  father. 
And  forsake  not  the  law  of  thy  mother : 
For  they  shall  be  an  ornament  of  grace  unto  thy  head, 
And  chains  about  thy  ne^ir 

BIB.  READ.  —   14 

'  UHIVEHSITY 


210 


My  son,  if  sinners  entice  thee, 

Consent  thou  not. 

If  they  say,  **  Come  with  us, 

Let  us  lay  wait  for  blood, 

Let  us  lurk  privily  for  the  innocent  without  cause : 

Let  us  swallow  them  up  alive  as  the  grave ; 

And  whole,  as  those  that  go  down  into  the  pit : 

We  shall  find  all  precious  substance, 

We  shall  fill  our  houses  with  spoil : 

Cast  in  thy  lot  among  us ; 

Let  us  all  have  one  purse :  " 

My  son,  walk  not  thou  in  the  way  with  them ; 

Refrain  thy  foot  from  their  path : 

For  their  feet  run  to  evil. 

And  make  haste  to  shed  blood. 

Surely  in  vain  the  net  is  spread 

In  the  sight  of  any  bird. 

And  they  lay  wait  for  their  own  blood ; 

They  lurk  privily  for  their  own  lives. 

So  are  the  ways  of  every  one  that  is  greedy  of  gain ; 

Which  taketh  away  the  life  of  the  owners  thereof. 

Proverbs  i.  7-19. 

The  glory  of  young  men  is  their  strength : 
And  the  beauty  of  old  men  is  the  gray  head. 

Proverbs  xx.  29. 

A  righteous  man  regardeth  the  life  of  his  beast : 
But  the  tender  mercies  of  the  wicked  are  cruel. 

Proverbs  xii.  10. 


TOPICAL    INDEX, 


PAGE 


Admonitions,  CXI.,  Prov.  xvi 171 

Afflicted,  XCVII.,  Ps.  xxxiv 150 

Almsgiving,  CXLIL,  Prov.  xxii 209 

Ancient  Laws,  LXXVIL,  Lev.  xix 119 

Anger,  XXXVIIL,  i  Sam.  xx 70 

Aspiration,  XLIIL,  i  Kings  iii 77 

Avarice,  LVIL,  Luke  xii 97 

Blessed,  LXIIL,  Matt,  v 104 

Brothers,  IV.,  Gen.  iv 24 

Charity,  CXXXVIL,  i  Cor.  xiii 201 

Children,  LXXIL,  John  xxi. ;  Luke  xvii. ;  Mark  x.      .     .     .  114 

Commandments,  LXXIIL,  Matt,  xxii 116 

LXXIV.,  Ex.  XX 116 

Compassion,  LIL,  Matt,  xviii .'    .     .     .  90 

Confession,  XCV.,  Ps.  h 147 

Confidence  in  God,  LXXXIV.,  Ps.  xxiii.,  cxxi.,  Ixxi.    .     .     .  129 

CXXXV.,  I  Tim.  vi 199 

CXVIIL,  Is.  xxvi 178 

Contentment,  CXXXV.,  i  Tim.  vi 199 

Contrasts,  CX.,  Prov.  xv 170 

Counsel,  CIX.,  Prov.  iv 168 

Courage,  XXVIIL,  Num.  xiv 55 

XXXV.,  I  Sam.  xvii 65 

XLVIIL,  Acts  xxvii S3 

Covetousness,  LXXIV.,  Ex.  xx 117 

211 


212 

PAGE 

Creator  and  Creature,  I.,  Gen.  i 19 

II.,  Gen.  i.,  ii 21 

Debts,  LIL,  Matt,  xviii 90 

Deceit,  VII.,  Gen.  xxvii 28 

VIII. ,  Gen.  xxvii 29 

XIII.,  Gen.  xxxvii 34 

Deliverance,  CXVIL,  Is.  xxv 177 

Diligence,  CXXXIV.,  Prov.  xxii.,  xii.,  xxxiii.,  xxi 198 

Dumb  Creatures,  CXLIIL,  Prov.  xii 210 

Enemies,  LXIV.,  Matt,  v 105 

LXV.,  Luke  vi 105 

Envy,  XI.,  Gen.  xxxvii 32 

Excuses,  LVIIL,  Luke  xiv 98 

Evil,  CXV.,  Is.  i 176 

LXVL,  Luke  xi 107 

Faithfulness,  XXXIL,  Ruth  i 60 

XXXIIL,  Ruth  ii 62 

Father,  LX.,  Luke  xvi 100 

Fear,  XXVII.,  Num.  xiii 53 

FideHty,  XLVL,  Dan.  vi 80 

Filial  Piety,  XX.,  Gen.  xlv 44 

XXII.,  Gen.  xlvii.,  1 47 

Folly,  XXX.,  Judges  ix 57 

LVIL,  Luke  xii 97 

Forgiveness,  XCIV.,  Ps.  xxv 146 

XCV.,  Ps.  H 147 

LXIV.,  Matt,  xviii 105 

Friendship,  XXXVII.,  i  Sam.  xx 68 

XXXVIII.,  I  Sam.  xx 70 

XXXIX.,  I  Sam.  xx 71 

Generosity,  VI.,  Gen.  xiii 26 

Gifts,  CXXXIX.,  James  i 204 


213 


PAGE 


Gladness,  LXXXVIL,  Ps.  ciii 134 

God,  Creative  Power  of,  L,  Gen.  i 19 

IL,  Gen.  i.,  ii 21 

XC.,  Ps.  civ 138 

XCL,  Ps.  xxxiii 141 

Longing  for,  LXXXV.,  Ps.  xlii 132 

LXXXVL,  Ps.  Ixiii 133 

Glory  of,  in  the  Universe,  LXXXVIIL,  Ps.  viii.      ...  136 

Goodness  of,  XCVIIL,  Ps.  Ixxiii 151 

Godliness,  CXXXV.,  2  Peter  i. ;   i  Tim.  vi 199 

Godly,  LXXXL,  Ps.  i.,  XV 126 

Gratitude,  LXXXVIL,  Ps.  ciii 134 

XCIX.,  Ps.  cxi 153 

C.,  Ps.  xcviii.,  c 155 

Harshness  rebuked,  LXXIL,  Mark  X 115 

Hatred,  X.,  Gen.  xxvii 32 

Healing,  CXXV.,  Is.  Ivii 186 

Hearing,  Hearers,  LXX.,  Matt,  vii 112 

Heart,  LXIX.,  Matt,  xii.,  vi. ;  Luke  vi 11 1 

CXH.,  Prov.  xxvi 172 

CXXXVHL,  Ps.  li.,  cxli. ;   Prov.  vi 202 

Holiness,  CVH.,  i  Chron.  xvi 165 

Holy,  CXXV.,  Is.  Ivii 186 

Honor  thy  parents,  LXXIV.,  Ex.  xx 117 

LXXVIL,  Lev.  xix 119 

Hope,  CXXXVIL,  i  Cor.  xiii 201 

House  of  the  Lord,  CV.,  Ps.  cxxii.,  Ixxxiv 162 

Humanity,  LXXVIIL,  Deut.  xv.,  xxiv 121 

HumiHty,  LXVIIL,  Mark  x. ;  Luke  ix.,  xiv 109 

Idleness.     See  Slothfulness. 

Idols,  CXXX.,  Ezek.  xiv 191 

Industry.     See  Diligence. 

Ingratitude,  LIL,  Matt,  xviii 90 


214 


PAGE 


Injustice,  XXIV.,  Ex.  i 50 

Instruction,  XCIV.,  Ps.  xxv 146 

Joy,  LIX.,  Luke  xv 99 

Justice,  CXVIIL,  Is.  xxvi 178 

Kindness,  XXV.,  Ex.  ii 51 

Kingdom  of  Heaven,  LI.,  Matt,  xiii 89 

Labor,  LIIL,  Matt,  xx 92 

Lambs,  LXXIL,  John  xxi 114 

Law,  LXXIIL,  Matt,  xxii 116 

LXXIV.,  Ex.  XX 116 

LXXV.,  Deut.  xi 117 

LXXVL,  Prov.  vi.,  vii 119 

LXXVIL,  Lev.  xix 119 

LXXIX.,  Ps.  cxix 122 

LXXX.,  Ps.  cxix.      . 123 

Life,  LXVIL,  Matt,  vi 108 

Light,  LXXXV.,  Ps.  xHii 133 

CXXVL,  Is.  Ix 187 

Lips,  CXL.,  Prov.  xii 206 

Little  Ones,  LXXIL,  Luke  xvii 115 

Love,  CXXXVIL,  i  Cor.  xiii 201 

Lying,  CXL.,  Prov.  xii 206 

Mercy,  LXV.,  Luke  vi 105 

LVL,  Luke  X 96 

Mischief,  CXXXVIIL,  Prov.  vi 203 

Mourning,  XLIL,  2  Sam.  xviii 75 

Murder,  IV.,  Gen.  iv 24 

Name,  CXLIL,  Prov.  xxii 209 

Neighbor,  LVL,  Luke  x 96 

LXXIIL,  Matt,  xxii 116 

Nobihty,  CXIX.,  Is.  xxxii 179 


215 


PAGE 


Obedience,  LXXV.,  Deut.  xi 117 

Oppression,  XXIV.,  Ex.  i.       .     , 50 

Others,  LXV.,  Luke  vi 105 

Parents,  LXXIV.,  Ex.  xx 117 

Patience,  CXXXV.,  2  Peter  i 199 

Peacemakers,  LXIIL,  Matt,  v .104 

Petulancy,  XLV.,  Jonah  iv 79 

Pharisee,  LXIL,  Luke  xviii 103 

Poor,  Duties  to,  LXXVIIL,  Deut.  xv 121 

LVIIL,  Luke  xiv 98 

Poverty,  LX.,  Luke  xvi 100 

Praise,  XCIX.,  Ps.  cxi.,  Ixvii 153 

C,  Ps.  xcviii.,  c 155 

CL,  Ps.  Ixv 156 

CVL,  Ps.  cxlv 164 

Prayer,  XXIX.,  Numbers  xiv 56 

LXVL,  Luke  xi 107 

of  Moses,  XCIIL,  Ps.  xc 144 

Presumption,  CXIIL,  Prov.  xxvii 173 

v.,  Gen.  xi 25 

Pride,  XXXIV.,  i  Sam.  xvii 64 

Prodigal  Son,  LX.,  Luke  xvi.       ...  - 100 

Profanity,  LXXIV.,  Ex.  XX 117 

Promise,  XXVI.,  Ex.  iii 52 

Promotion,  XV,,  Gen.  xH ^S 

Providence,  LXVIL,  Matt,  vi 108 

LXXXIL,  Ps.  xci 127 

LXXXIV.,  Ps.  xxiii. 129 

Prudence,  XLVIIL,  Acts  xxvii S^ 

Pubhcan,  LXIL,  Luke  xviii 103 

Punishment,  XLL,  2  Sam.  xviii 74 

Purity,  CXV.,  Is.  i 176 

RebelHon,  XL.,  2  Sam.  xv 72 

Reconcihation,  CXXXIL,  Hosea  ii 194 


2l6 


PAGE 


Redemption,  Israel's,  CXX.,  Is.  xxxv i8o 

CXXL,  Is.  li i8i 

Repentance,  XLIV.,  Jonah  iii 78 

Resolution,  A,  LX.,  Luke  xvi 100 

Responsibility,  CXXIX.,  Ezekiel  xviii 190 

Restoration,  Israel's,  CXXII.,  Is.  Iii 182 

of  Jerusalem,  CXXVIL,  Is.  Ix 187 

Reverence,  XVI.,  Gen.  xlii 39 

Riches,  LVIL,  Luke  xii 97 

Rich  Man,  LXL,  Luke  xvi 102 

Righteousness,  LXXXIV.,  Ps.  xxiii.,  Ixxi 129 

CXLL,  Prov.  xiv 207 

Rulers,  XVL,  Gen.  xlii 39 

Sabbath,  II.,  Gen.  ii 22 

LXXIV.,  Ex.  XX 117 

Salvation,  CIIL,  Ps.  Ixii 159 

CXXIV.,  Is.  Iv 184 

Founder  of,  CXXVIIL,  Is.  Ixi 188 

Scornful,  LXXXL,  Ps.  i 126 

Seeking  the  Kingdom  of  God,  LXVIL,  Matt,  vi 109 

the  Lost,  LIX.,  Luke  xv 99 

Self-Praise,  CXIIL,  Prov.  xxvii 173 

Servants,  Hired,  LXXVIIL,  Deut.  xxiv 122 

Sheep,  LXXL,  John  X 113 

LXXIL,  John  xxi 114 

Shepherd,  LXXL,  John  X 113 

Sin,  CXXXL,  Amos  v 193 

Slander,  LXXIV.,  Ex.  XX 117 

Slothfulness,  CXXXIV.,  Prov.  xxiv.,  vi.,  xxii.,  xii.,  xxviii.,xxi.  197 

Sorrow,  XLII.,  2  Sam.  xviii 75 

CXXIIL,  Is.  liii 183 

Sower  and  the  Seed,  XLIX.,  Matt,  xiii 87 

Stability,  XLVL,  Daniel  vi 80 

XLVIIL,  Acts  xxvii 83 

Stealing,  LXXIV.,  Ex.  XX 117 


21/ 


Strength,  God  our,  CIIL,  Ps.  Ixii.    . 
Supplication.     See  Prayer, 

Talents,  LV.,  Matt,  xxv 

Tares,  L.,  Matt,  xiii 

Teaching  the  Law,  LXXVL,  Proverbs 
Temperance,  CXXXIIL,  Is.  v.    .     . 
Thanksgiving,  CVIL,  i  Chron.  xvi. 
Tongue,  XCII.,  Ps.  xxxix.       .     .     . 

CXL.,  James  iii 

Trustfulness,  LXXXIV.,  Ps.  xxiii.,  cxxi 
Truthfulness,  LXXIV.,  Ex.  xx.     .     . 


59 


Unfaithfulness,  LV.,  Matt.  xxv.    .     . 
Unmerciful  Servant,  LIL,  Matt,  xviii. 


,  Ixxi. 


Victory,  CIV.,  Ps.  Ixxvii 

Vineyard,  LIIL,  Matt.  xx.       ... 

CXVL,  Is.  V 

Virtue,  CXXXV.,  i  Tim.  vi. ;  Gal.  v. ;  2  Peter  i 

CXXXVL,  Gal.  v. ;  Col.  iii. ;  i   Tim.  i  ;  i 
Virtuous  Woman,  CXIV.,  Prov.  xxxi 


Warning,  CIX.,  Prov.  iv.  .  . 
Watchfulness,  LIV.,  Matt.  xxv. 
Ways  of  God,  CIL,  Ps.  xlix.  . 
Wickedness,  CIX.,  Prov.  iv.  . 
CXXXVIII.,  Prov.  vi.  .  . 
Wisdom,  CVIIL,  Prov.  ii.,  iii. 
Woman,  Virtuous,  CXIV.,  Prov.  xxxi. 
Word  of  the  Lord,  LXXIX.,  Ps.  cxix. 
Worship,  CVIL,  i  Chron.  xvi.     .     . 


Youth,  CXLIIL,  Prov.  xx. 


Tim. 


Peter 


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Korea  and  Numerous  Illustrations        .....       1.00 

Holbrook's  'Round  the  Year  in  Myth  and  Song 

By  Florence  Holbrook.     With  beautiful  Illustrations     .        .60 


Copies  of  any  of   these  books  will  be  sent  prepaid  to   any  address,  on 
receipt  of  the  price  by  the  Publishers  : 

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NEW  YORK  ♦  CINCINNATI  ♦  CHICAGO 

(7) 


Spelling  and  Word  Study 


Patterson's  American  Word  Book 

Graded    Lessons   in    Spelling,  Defining,    Punctuation,  and 
Dictation.     By  Calvin  Patterson,  M.A.  .         .         .     $0.25 

This  New  Spelling  Book  embodies  a  carefully  developed 
and  progressive  plan  for  teaching  the  forms  and  values  of  English 
words  in  common  use.  The  selection  of  words  is  based  on  the 
needs  of  the  present,  as  shown  by  long  experience  in  teaching 
English. 

Harrington's  Spelling  Book.    Complete 20 

Part  I,  separate  for  Primary  Grades      .         .         .         .         .         .15 

Part  II,  separate  for  Higher  Grades     .         .         .         .         .         .15 

A  graded  spelling  book  in  two  parts,  which  may  be  had 

separately  or  complete  as  may  best  suit  the  wants  of  schools. 

Metcalf's  Spelling  and   Language  Book 20 

A  book  for  teaching  spelling  in  connection  with  language 
work  and  word-study. 

McGuffey's  Revised  Eclectic  Spelling  Book       .         .         .         .         .17 
An  old  favorite  revised,  with  many  new  features. 

Natural   Speller  and  Word    Book 20 

Contains  a  carefully  selected  and  graded  list  of  words  with 
valuable  special  features. 

Swinton's  Word   Primer 15 

A  beginner's  book  in  oral  and  written  spelling. 

Swinton's  Word  Book  of  English   Spelling  ....         .18 

A  graded  speller  with  the  words  arranged  in  natural  groups, 
according  to  origin  or  use,  and  containing  other  valuable  features. 

FOR  STUDIES  IN   ETYMOLOGY  AND  ORTHOGRAPHY 
Swinton's  New  Word  Analysis     .......  .35 

A  practical  work  on  Etymology  with  exercises  in  analysis,  etc. 

Wright's  Analytical  Orthography 18 

A  new  edition  of  this  popular  and  standard  work. 


Copies  of  any  of  the  above  books  will  be  sent  prepaid  to  any  address,  on 
receipt  of  the  price  by  the  Publishers  : 

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(17) 


Pupils'   Outline  Studies 

IN  THE 

HISTORY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 

BY 

FRANCIS  H.WHITE,  A.M. 
Paper,  Square  Octavo,  128  pages  -  -  Price.  30  cents 


This  is  a  book  of  Outline  Studies,  Maps  and  Blanks, 
intended  for  use  in  connection  with  the  study  of  United 
States  History.  It  contains  an  original  and  systematic 
combination  of  devices  consisting  of  outline  maps,  graphic 
charts,  and  blanks  for  historical  tables  and  summaries,  for 
the  reproduction  of  pictures,  for  biographical  sketches,  for 
studies  in  civil  government,  etc.  It  also  contains  valuable 
suggestions  to  teachers  and  pupils,  and  carefully  selected 
lists  of  historical  books  and  authorities  for  collateral  reading 
and  reference. 

Its  use  will  encourage  the  pupil  to  observe  closely,  to 
select  the  leading  and  salient  facts  of  history,  to  classify  his 
knowledge,  to  investigate  for  himself,  and  to  carry  his  inves- 
tigations up  to  recognized  authorities  and  even  to  original 
sources.  It  also  furnishes  opportunity  and  material  for  the 
best  exercises  and  training  in  English  Composition. 

The  book  is  conveniently  arranged  for  either  class  or 
individual  instruction  and  may  be  used  in  connection  with 
any  text-book  on  United  States  History. 


Copies  of  White  s  Pupils'  Outline  Studies  7vill  be  sent  prepaid  to  any 
address,  on  receipt  of  the  price,  by  the  Publishers: 

American   Book   Company 

New  York  «  Cincinnati  ♦  Chicago 

(28) 


A  Trip  Through  Asia  with  the  Children 


Carpenter's  Geographical  Reader— Asia 

By  Frank  G.  Carpenter.     Cloth,  i2mo,  304  pages.    With 
colored  Maps  and  numerous  Illustrations. 

Price,  60  cents 

In  the  interest  of  its  subjects,  as  well  as  in  its  artistic, 
literary,  and  mechanical  execution,  this  new  Geographical 
Reader  is  by  far  the  most  attractive  and  noteworthy  book 
of  its  kind.  It  combines  in  one  volume  studies  in  geog- 
raphy to  supplement  the  regular  text-books  in  use,  and  a 
book  of  travels  adapted  to  serve  as  a  reading  book  in 
school  or  in  the  home. 

The  studies  in  geography  are  not  mere  compilations 
from  other  books,  or  stories  of  imaginary  travels,  but  are 
based  on  actual  travel  and  personal  observation.  The 
author,  who  is  an  experienced  traveler  and  writer,  has 
given  interesting  and  vivacious  descriptions  of  his  recent 
extended  journeys  through  the  different  countries  of  Asia, 
together  with  graphic  pictures  of  their  native  peoples,  just 
as  they  are  found  to-day  in  their  homes  and  at  their 
work.  This  has  been  done  in  such  simple  language  and 
charming  manner  as  to  make  each  chapter  in  the  book 
as  entertaining  as  a  story. 

The  interest  and  effectiveness  of  the  book  are  greatly 
enhanced  by  the  illustrations  found  on  almost  every  page. 
These  are  all  new,  being  mostly  reproductions  from  photo- 
graphs taken  by  the  author  on  the  ground.  The  book  is 
also  well  supplied  with  maps  of  Asia  and  all  the  countries 
described. 


Copies  of  Carpenter  s  Geographical  Reader  will  be  sent^  prepaid^  to  any 
address^  on  receipt  of  the  price,  by  the  Publishers  : 


American  Book  Company 


New  York  ♦  Cincinnati  ♦  Chicago 

(47) 


GEOGRAPHY 


Natural  Elementary  Geography 

By  Jacques  W,  Redway,  F.R.G.S.  Linen  Binding*, 
Quarto,  144  pages.  With  numerous  Maps  and  Illus- 
trations .....  Price,  60  cents 

The  publication  of  the  Natural  Elementary  Geography 
marks  a  new  era  in  the  study  and  teaching  of  geography. 
Some  of  the  important  features  which  distinguish  this 
book  from  all  other  primary  geographies  are: 

Central  Idea. — The  study  of  man  in  his  geographic  rela- 
tions, leading  to  the  industrial  and  commercial  treat- 
ment of  countries  and  cities. 

Method  — Development  of  the  subject  in  a  perfectly 
natural  manner;  hence  the  title — the  Natural  Series 
of  Geographies. 

Treatment. —  Simple,  inductive,  and  progressive. 

Maps. — The  physical  relief  maps  and  colored  political 
maps  are  distinct  and  easily  read.  Those  of  corre- 
sponding divisions  are  drawn  on  a  uniform  scale  to 
facilitate  direct  comparison  of  areas. 

Illustrations. — The  subject-matter  is  made  clear  and  im- 
pressive by  attractive  and  appropriate  pictures  on 
almost  every  page. 

Other  Special  Features. — Topical  outlines  for  language 
work;  exercises  in  correlation  and  comparisons;  nat- 
ural subdivisions  of  continents  and  countries;  use  of 
suggestive  questions,  etc. 

The  Natural  Advanced  Geography  is  in  prepa- 
ration. 

An  Illustrated  Circular  describing  the  plan  and  method 
of  the  Natural  Elementary  Geography  will  be  sent  free  to 
any  address  on  application. 


Copies  of  the  Natural  Elementary  Geography  will  be  sent  prepaid  to  any 
address,  on  receipt  of  the  price,  by  the  Publishers: 

American   Book   Company 

New  York  ♦  Cincinnati  ♦  Chicago 

C48) 


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